The award honors the gifts of faculty across all the positional categories of employment. Criteria include impact on students, effective teaching practices, subject knowledge and continual growth, including a commitment to professional and pedagogical development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The selection process began with nominations from the campus community. A committee appointed by the Faculty Senate reviewed the nominations and selected the honorees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have great teachers here at EMU. Ron, Maria Esther, and Bonnie, much gratitude was expressed for the ways you go above and beyond in your service to students and this learning community,\u201d said Professor Tim Seidel,<\/strong> who co-chaired the committee. \u201cIt was such a privilege to read through all of the nominations and get just a small glimpse into all of the incredible work our teachers are doing at EMU\u2014very inspiring and encouraging.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThanks again to the Selection Committee and to the Faculty Senate for organizing this award,\u201d continues Seidel. \u201cAnd to all the teachers in the audience, keep up the good work. We\u2019re only here because of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shultz is an assistant professor in teacher education and the coordinator for the PK-6 program, as well as the field placement coordinator for the department. He has been teaching at EMU since 2011.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ron does an excellent job at modeling an energetic and kind teacher, says one student, recalling a time when he modeled a morning meeting in a first grade classroom. He had all 8 students sit in a circle on the carpet and he played his guitar and sang a welcome song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRon goes above and beyond as a professor,\u201d said another student. \u201cHe is everything a professor should be. He is kind, thoughtful, and easy to talk to. He provides excellent and honest feedback in a timely manner while being encouraging and understanding at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another says, \u201cOverall, I’ll be forever grateful for Ron’s impact in my education. Without sounding too dramatic, I would follow Ron to the edge of the world. If there was nothing good to come out of my experience at EMU except for Ron, I would be satisfied with that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shultz was honored to receive the award. \u201cBecoming a teacher was a childhood ambition for me, which I prefer to think of as a calling,\u201d he says. \u201cGod has blessed me with the distinct opportunity and immense responsibility to help prepare future educators. Effective teaching requires investing in the relationship with our students. I am so encouraged by the next generation of teachers who have come through our program, and to see the difference that they are making in the lives of their students in our local schools, across the country, and around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shultz earned a doctoral degree from George Mason University with a focus on teacher education and multicultural\/multilingual education, with a PK-8 teaching certification, a master\u2019s degree in education from Millersville University, and a bachelor\u2019s degree in liberal arts studies from Eastern Mennonite University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Showalter is an instructor and program director in the Language and Literature Department. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Students recognize the enthusiasm and personal care Showalter brings to the classroom to her teaching of language and culture. \u201cMaria Esther is one of the most joyful and enthusiastic professors that I have had. Even learning Spanish grammar can be fun when Maria Esther is teaching it. If we didn’t understand something, she would find new ways to explain it to us and encourage us to keep trying until we got it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t scared to make mistakes as she would encourage us and lead us to the correct answer,\u201d says another student. \u201cShe also went out of her way to get to know her students personally. She would always ask questions about my life and my job and she was open about her life as well. I remember her sharing a story with me about why she became a teacher and growing up in Bolivia. Her class felt very personal and welcoming, and if my schedule would allow, I would take every course taught by Maria Esther.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet another student says, \u201cHer contribution to EMU deserves to be celebrated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTeaching Spanish is one of the biggest gifts I can give to my students,\u201d says Showalter. \u201cI love teaching about my culture, giving the students the skills to communicate in another language, and opening a door to learning about the beauty of the diversity in the Hispanic culture. Learning a language takes a lot of time and dedication. I am grateful to my students for their commitment and perseverance on this rewarding journey. Seeing my students grow so much in just one semester empowers me to continue giving my best every day. I am blessed to be part of this community where I can develop my gifts and be surrounded by colleagues and students whom I love very much and with whom I have a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Showalter earned a master\u2019s degree in adult education from George Mason University and a bachelor\u2019s degree in English with minors in Spanish and French from the Universidad Autonoma Gabriel Rene Moreno, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fisher began teaching at EMU in 2019.\u00a0She teaches courses in theories of personality, social psychology, and interpersonal relationship skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBonnie is the true definition of a ray of sunshine,\u201d says one student. \u201cHer personality lights up a room and her classes are always my favorite. I view Bonnie not only as one of my favorite professors, but as a friend. Overall, she is just a prime example of someone who is meant to work with people because of how charismatic and loving she is.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHer teaching methods are effective, she is very open-minded, and she is able to talk about sensitive topics that make me feel seen as a person of color,\u201d said another student. \u201cShe cares for her students, is amicable, kind, and generous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe makes her classroom a safe space for everyone,\u201d says another student. \u201cAs a person of color, she made me feel welcome and understood, so I really appreciate the fact that she is at EMU. She is the embodiment of kindness and love for others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fisher speaks highly of her students, in turn. “Teaching psychology students at EMU is the greatest joy,\u201d she says. \u201cI am an adjunct along with my full time work because I love teaching and interacting with these amazing humans. They are full of life and wisdom, a group of world changers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She also addresses her own whiteness, privilege and social standing in each class that she teaches: \u201cBIPOC students at a predominantly white university do not always have professors that will speak in direct support of them\u2014I will always be that instructor,\u201d says Fisher. \u201cDiving into difficult, real-life topics with these bright students with compassion and empathy at the root of all my teaching.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fisher earned a master\u2019s degree in psychology: college student personnel administration from James Madison University and a bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology from Eastern Mennonite University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTenured Faculty: <\/strong>Ron Shultz, PhD<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nPre-tenure Faculty: <\/strong>M. Esther Showalter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nAdjunct Instructor: Bonnie Fisher<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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