Success Stories
Caring
and Expertise Earn Five Faculty High Praise
by Gloria Biersdorff
Energetic
and extremely knowledgeable. Compassionate and respectful. Connects community
and classroom. Focused for the workplace. Honest and open.
These are among the attributes which distinguish the five recipients of
Lane Community College's 2002-03 Faculty Recognition Awards. Barbara DeFilippo,
Linda Gonzalves, Stan Paulic, David Rothgery and Rick Simms were nominated
in June by students, staff, faculty and alumni as outstanding instructors
for their contributions to the college vision and core values.
 |
Social
science instructor Barb DeFilippo is congratulated by department
chair Ken Murdoff and students for outstanding teaching. |
DeFilippo, who earned a doctorate in psychology from the University of Oregon in 1994, has taught psychology at Lane for the past five years. She’s also taught feng shui, soap making, herbal wildcrafting, and basic piano. "I love sharing my passion for learning in general and psychology in particular," she says. "My students are awesome. They come with energy, commitment, and a willingness to learn. Those who stay with me know they have hard work ahead of them, but that they will learn skills they can apply in all areas of their lives."
Students say, "Her class is fun and interesting to attend. She is energetic and extremely knowledgeable and helps us to understand the impact that psychology has in the world and how it can be used in our lives. She is tough but fair, and it is apparent that she loves teaching. It is because of teachers like Barb that LCC is the high caliber school that it is, and it is because of their skill that this school will survive."
 |
Women's
program instructor Linda Gonzavales (left) receives an outstanding
teaching award from President Mary Spilde. |
Students and colleagues noted: "There is a peacefulness and an invitation about her that says, 'come learn from me and with me.' Her teaching style is that of caring, respect and personalizing the information to the individuals in her class. She promotes a safe environment for personal growth through thought, creativity and courage. She has inspired us to think for ourselves in brand new ways. Linda is a fantastic role model for her students."
 |
ESL
instructor Stan Paulic is joined by President Mary Spilde (left)
and division chair Pat John to celebrate his award for outstanding
teaching. |
Paulic has
taught in the English as a Second Language program since 1998. He earned
a master's in education from the University of Oregon in 2001, and in
that year pioneered the ESL program's first distance learning class based
on a video civics course for foreign students called "On Common Ground."
He says, "The 'On Common Ground' material used in this class is terrific
in that it offers a springboard for students to learn more about and get
more involved with the local community."
Others observed: "Not only have Stan's students benefitted from and
been empowered by the experience of developing videotaped panel discussions,
but students from all over Lane County have access to his class via TV.
In addition, Stan's approach of bringing the community to the classroom
as well as sending students out into the community empowers learners to
be active, responsible members of this society. Stan is a person of excellent
character and determination with a strong sense of initiative and vision.
He has a zest for teaching and radiates a refreshing, positive attitude."
 |
English
instructor David Rothgery accepts an award for outstanding teaching
from President Mary Spilde, while division chair Susan Swan looks
on. |
Rothgery
began teaching English at Lane 12 years ago. "There's more wisdom,
not just learning, going on at Lane than in many universities," he
says. He earned a doctorate in English from the University of Oregon in
1990. One of his passions is traveling. He has visited Africa, Europe
and Taiwan, and taught in Nigeria and in Micronesia. From 1977 to 1987
he directed a federal project for Micronesian students at Eastern Oregon
State College. He has written two novels and is at work on a collection
of short stories. "I have always been fascinated by what writers
can do in essays, stories, poetry, and drama, to get hold of ideas, yearnings,
disillusionment, despair, wonder, and beauty," he says.
Praise for Rothgery includes the following: "He respects all of his
students and always encourages us to do the best that we can, to be honest
in our writing and with ourselves, and to be understanding of different
cultures and ideas. His compassion for every student is noticeable. He
really cares. He practically insists on creativity, in exploring points
of views and how they are expressed and interpreted. He encourages free,
critical thinking at every opportunity. He represents everything a great
teacher should be."
 |
Rick
Simms accepts an award and a handshake from President Mary Spilde
for outstanding instruction in media arts and technology. |
Simms came
to the college three years ago to teach media arts and technology. In
1975 he trained as a photometric specialist for Sandia National Laboratory
at the Tonopah test range in Nevada, where he worked until 1979. He then
accepted a position as engineering and scientific coordinator for Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory. He left LLNL in 1994 upon acceptance into
the University of Oregon's M.F.A. program, earning a master's in visual
design with an emphasis in multimedia design in 1996. "Teaching is
one of the few noble professions that is both challenging and enjoyable,"
he says. "I think the reason for my positive outlook on life is I
have had the good fortune to do what I love and love what I do in every
aspect of my life."
Others wrote of Simms: "He makes my experience and that of other
students here at Lane fun, exciting, and challenging. His no nonsense
approach to teaching focuses us for the workplace. He stresses working
in groups. He has integrity and is very fair in all he does. He is honest
and open. Rick always has a smile on his face and he brings that happiness
into the classroom and it makes Lane a great place to learn."
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