Semester’s end presents an opportunity for ‘thank you’

Joyce Weinsheimer
Center for the Enhancement
of Teaching and Learning

At the end of spring semester, more than 400 faculty and teaching assistants (TAs) found out exactly what impact they are having on students.

Tony Argote, an undergraduate in mechanical engineering and program chair for the 2008 Dean Griffin Day, sent out a campus-wide e-mail inviting students to use CETL’s “Thank a Teacher” Web site to honor faculty and TAs who have been especially helpful. Hundreds of students have responded.

Mathematics Professor Doron Lubinsky received notes from several students and learned that they value the structure provided in his lectures—students like the fact that he starts with a review, then teaches new material which he supports with examples. Students also appreciated Lubinsky’s online resources, such as class notes and past tests.

Matthew Hild, a History, Technology and Society part-time instructor, learned that students appreciate professors who care that their students learn. “My willingness to answer students’ questions in class, to repeat something or explain it in a different way, or to talk with a student after class all go a long way in helping students learn and making them feel like their instructor cares that they learn.”

College of Management Associate Professor Deborah Turner agrees. “Most of the students who sent me a ‘Thank a Teacher’ note identified a caring attitude as what they valued most. This was true for students at all three levels I teach—undergraduate, master’s and [doctoral]. I think students are very open to various instructional approaches—and quite forgiving when things don’t go perfectly—as long as they believe that you are interested in them as students and as individuals outside of the classroom.”

One student wrote to Physics II instructor Marty Jarrio that, “I did not come to Georgia Tech looking for a handout or expecting to excel without applying any effort. I came to be challenged, and I thank you for doing so.”

“I think many students appreciate being challenged at Tech, knowing that they are developing analytical skills they will need in the future,” Jarrio said. “They want their education to be rigorous—but at the same time, they want to feel that we are leading the way for them, rather than just setting them adrift to sink or swim. Meeting their expectations means staying organized and on-message in the classroom, as well as being willing to make time to work with individual students outside of class—as much time as they need, not just whatever time fits our own schedules. When it’s clear to students that we are making such efforts, they are much more positive about the final outcome—even if they end up getting lower grades than they might have hoped for.”

And how did instructors react to hearing from students? Mostafa El-Sayed, Julius Brown Chair and Regents Professor in chemistry and biochemistry, contacted CETL and remarked that “Getting this meant so much to me. Thank the student and you for making our profession so much more enjoyable.” Hild responded with equal enthusiasm. “It’s nice to know that students appreciate your efforts. Sometimes in large classes in particular, it’s hard to know if you’re really getting across to students, so it’s encouraging to receive some positive feedback.”

When students say thanks, faculty often realize that they have done well handling the difficulties inherent to teaching—such as focusing on what students need or making tough decisions about standards and grades. “Georgia Tech students are bright and easily inspired,” said International Affairs Associate Professor Kirk Bowman. “If I can give the students my full and enthusiastic attention during class and office hours, students take notice … and I am thrilled to receive their notes.”

Recipients of “Thank a Teacher” notes receive a letter, a certificate, and invitations to participate in campus events that honor teaching such as Celebrating Teaching Day (March 11) and Dean Griffin Day (April 16). Ultimately, it is the “thanks” that makes an impression. Perhaps Aerospace Engineering Professor Erian Armanios sums it up best. “Thank you for the ‘thank you’ and for taking the initiative to foster students’ appreciation of their faculty. I feel I am traveling forward in time reading these nice and spontaneous expressions—they are usually read at eulogies!”

Joyce Weinsheimer, associate director for Faculty Development at the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL), provides Teaching Bytes for publication occasionally.