2009 Recipients of the Outstanding Teacher Awards
| Dr. Paul Fritz |
Dr. Paul Fritz, associate professor of communication. He came to UT in 1980 as an assistant professor and was named associate professor in 1985. 鈥淚 took only one class with Dr. Fritz, Interpersonal Communication, yet it had the most impact of any class I took while at 淫妻社,鈥 one nominator wrote. 鈥淚n my profession as a police officer, communication is essential. The way I listen and speak with people can either escalate or hopefully de-escalate a situation.鈥 Another noted, 鈥淒r. Fritz teaches his class how to effectively use communication in job situations and in their everyday lives. He does this by sharing real-world experiences and incidents in the workplace and then showing how to deal with those situations.鈥 鈥淚n every class, UT students insist that I answer the question 鈥楬ow can we use this course in the real world?鈥 To answer that question, I need to visualize the communication problems my students endure and design helpful solutions helpful for them,鈥 Fritz said. 鈥淭he best teacher is he who never forgets what it was like to be a student.鈥 |
| Dr. Sally Harmych |
鈥淒r. Harmych deserves this award because she is a teacher who comes to class with a great attitude,鈥 one nominator wrote. 鈥淗er lectures engage the students on subjects that would be boring in any other class. She cares that each student fully understands the material that is covered in the course.鈥 Another wrote, 鈥淪he may not realize it, and, having hundreds of students in one class, may not think she has an impact on anyone. In my other classes 鈥 the ones with only 20 students 鈥 I do not have the same relaxed, excited, can鈥檛-wait-to-go-to-class ambition that I do when I think of my biology class.鈥 鈥淭his is such an honor and a complete surprise!鈥 Harmych said. 鈥淢y teaching philosophy has always been that the student comes first. So that even in a classroom of 300 students I try to make sure every student feels like they are a part of the discussion.鈥 |
| Dr. James Kamm |
鈥淚t was clear that he not only strove to teach but to develop students into engineers,鈥 wrote one nominator. Another noted, 鈥淗e shows a great interest in the students; that they recognize this is highlighted by the number of graduates who stay in touch with him after gaining their degrees.鈥 Another wrote, 鈥淪everal years after I graduated, I contacted him about becoming a professional engineer. He spent time with me by e-mail, phone and weekends going over materials that I had long given up to the scholastic world.鈥 鈥淪tudents have enjoyed me and benefited from me, but I have enjoyed and benefited from them. Their questions are often the source of new research. Sometimes they ask questions that I鈥檝e thought about at times and then given up on. So I take time to think about them again and see if I can go any further now,鈥 Kamm said. 鈥淚t is a great job that I have that I can pursue problems for no other purpose than that they need an answer. Usually though, if there is resolution, the whole matter will find its way into my courses.鈥 |
| Dr. Sakui Malakpa |
鈥淗is teaching strategies are fantastic,鈥 one nominator wrote. 鈥淗e makes learning the most difficult things easy and interesting, and he incorporates everyday life experiences and humor into the course. He is a very compassionate and understanding teacher that inspires me and makes me want to learn.鈥 Another wrote, 鈥淒r. Malakpa is very understanding and willing to work with me. He will take away from his home life to help me understand the material, and he calls from home to make sure that I am where I am supposed to be in the course content.鈥 鈥淭he students truly are my source of energy and joy,鈥 Malakpa said. 鈥淣o matter what mood I鈥檓 in, when I enter the class, I鈥檓 alive and animated.鈥 |

Dr.
Sally Harmych, lecturer in biological sciences. She received her bachelor and doctoral degrees from
the University in
1992 and 2000, respectively. In 2003, she began teaching as a visiting assistant professor
at her alma mater and was promoted to
lecturer in 2006.
Dr. James
Kamm, professor of engineering technology. He joined the faculty as an assistant professor
in 1974 and was promoted to
professor in 1994.
Dr.
Sakui Malakpa, professor of early childhood, physical and special education. He joined UT in 1986
as assistant professor,
was named associate professor in 1990 and professor in 1998.