Recipients of 2018 Graduate Associate Outstanding Teaching Award honored

On Thursday, April 19, four graduate students were presented with the Graduate Associate Outstanding Teaching Award (GAOTA) during the annual ceremony in Alden Library’s Faculty Commons. The GAOTA program was established in 1987 to recognize excellent teaching in graduate teaching assistants at the University. Each recipient receives a $500 stipend and a framed certificate to commemorate the occasion.

“This award is unique, not just here at OHIO, but across the nation,” said Tim Vickers, director of the Center for Teaching & Learning. “I think it is simply fantastic that these outstanding individuals get recognized for their incredible contributions not just to our students’ education, but to the schools and departments within which they work.”

Unlike other universities with similar events, the selection process at OHIO is conducted entirely by undergraduate students who volunteer their time to serve on the selection committee. This committee then interviews the top nominees and selects the four winners that are chosen annually.

The 2018 GAOTA recipients are:

Christine N. Aiena, GeographyAiena currently teaches geography and mesoscale meteorology. In May, she will graduate with a master’s in geography-meteorology. “I have been wonderfully surprised and humbled by this experience,” said Aiena. “I have had the privilege of teaching some of the most brilliant, tenacious and hard-working students. I am so glad they felt I was able to effectively convey information to them and I cannot thank them enough for nominating me for this award.”

Bailey Dick, JournalismThis semester, Dick is teaching “Ethics, Mass Media, and Society” as well as “Special Issues and Topics in Journalism: Media and the Civil Rights Movement.” She will be graduating with her master’s in journalism in May, and will pursue a Ph.D. in journalism at OHIO this fall. “My goal as a teacher is for my students to feel as though they are seen, known, and understood, and for them to carry that mentality into interactions with others in their journalism career,” said Dick. “I don’t believe that what I do in the classroom is, or should be, extraordinary. But I hope my winning this award shows other teachers and professors the value of standing with and for their students.”

Terrance Reimer, Communication Media ArtsReimer is teaching two sections of “Media and Creative Process” this semester. He received a bachelor of fine arts degree with a photography and art history emphasis from Ohio University and now is enrolled in the communication media arts graduate program. “To be nominated and acknowledged by the students for this prestigious award is not only an incredible honor, but also deeply humbling,” said Reimer. “This award is as much the students’ as it is mine, as they keep me inspired and motivated to be the best professor and mentor I can be each and every day.”

Steven Jay Rhue, Public HealthRhue currently is teaching “Business and Communication in Transitional Societies” and “Global Competition and Industry Trends.” He earned two bachelor’s degrees from OHIO, as well as a master’s degree in Latin American studies; he will graduate with a second master’s degree in public health this semester. “Knowing that my students believed in me and nominated me for such an award could not be a more meaningful way for me to end my tenure here,” said Rhue. “I’ve always thought that as teachers, we need to leave our students with experiences and understanding that are uniquely their own. But even more, we must learn from our students just as much.”

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