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"Enthusiasm" and the use of newer teaching technologies equal teaching award for Werner
SOJC Visiting Instructor of News-Editorial Journalism Michael Werner, a first year professor and a 2008 graduate of SOJC’s Literary Nonfiction program, took home the Adjunct Teaching Award at this year's commencement ceremonies.
During the 08-09 school year, Werner taught Reporting I, Gateway to Media II, Mass Media and Society, Flash for Journalists, Mosaic and 21st Century Media. In addition to his teaching load, Werner was also very active outside of his teaching activities, advising SOJC’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, coordinating submissions for the Hearst Journalism Awards, serving as co-chair for the SOJC’s Charitable Fund Drive, and serving as associate editor of Etude: The Journal of Literary Nonfiction.
He is also currently working on a book project with fellow SOJC instructor Katie Campbell as well as editing a documentary for OPB.
The Adjunct Teacher of the Year Award is a student-nominated award that is then voted on by a panel of emeritus professors. Winners receive a $500 cash award and adjunct faculty members Brett Campbell, Kelli Matthews, Dean Rea, Rebecca Force and Dan Morrison have been previous recipients.
The following is what one student wrote about Werner in a nomination letter:
“Michael brings a high level of enthusiasm to his classes and has the ability to develop a high level of rapport with his students. He encourages creative thinking and is always available for help on assignments or just a friendly chat. His teaching style is much more effective than any professor I have experienced, and he really cares about the wellbeing of each student. He also recognized my potential and made me believe that my dreams are very real and very attainable, especially in the changing face of the profession.”
Says Werner of his students this year: “the students in the classes were fantastic. Connecting with them was the highlight of my year.”
Werner is not afraid to use newer teaching technologies in the classroom, and employed iClickers and other technologies in his larger lecture classes.
“It's important to me to create a class atmosphere that encourages participation, discussion and exploration of the topic at hand,” he said. “I don't want it to just be me up there talking away. I've found that if it's just me lecturing, they don't retain that information as well as the information that they have to think about and figure out for themselves. That's part of the learning process.”
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