Assistant Professor, School of Law
I was a high school teacher before becoming a professor. My first day was terrifying. Twenty years later, my first day as a law professor was also terrifying. I still feel like I’m leaping off of a cliff at the beginning of every course.
Associate Professor, Technology, UW Tacoma
In part, what makes a great teacher is the ability to instill a love for knowledge in general and a respect for the process by which knowledge is created and understood—discussion, debate, argument and critique. I want students to learn how to make knowledge and learning “their own” by developing their own voice.
Associate Professor, History
There are great stakes involved in how we frame and pursue knowledge. More practically, I strive to encourage and enable students to think critically and to write convincingly.
S. Sterling Munro Public Service Teaching Award; Professor, College of Education
I think the field may have chosen me! Both my parents were teachers, and my sister became a teacher as well, and while I fought it for a few years following an undergraduate degree in psychology, I succumbed to its pull when I went back to get an MEd at WWU—and have been exceptionally happy ever since!
Associate Professor, History
After college, I had no choice but to move back in with my parents. Home was Little Rock, the year was 1992, and the governor was running for president. I went down to campaign headquarters to volunteer, and as luck would have it they had a job for me—in the mailroom. I took it, and ultimately ended up working in the White House.
Senior Lecturer, Communication
Coming to UW was the turning point in my life and career. Being a lecturer at a major university has allowed me to position myself as someone who teaches classes on campus, but also serves as a public resource to the citizens of Washington.
Senior Lecturer, Linguistics
When I was in 2nd grade, I helped a classmate who was struggling with his math class work. He understood after my explanations and the teacher was impressed. She said, “maybe you will become a teacher one day.”
Professor, School of Social Work
Teaching is my passion. I ensure that the classroom is both challenging and inviting so that students feel safe to question their own assumptions.
Assistant Professor, Arts & Sciences, UW Bothell
I want students to question the common sense framing of issues and be able to critically evaluate and analyze everything they encounter. I hope my students use their knowledge to actively shape their lives and the lives of others.
Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award; Professor, Computer Science & Engineering
“Gaetano once told me that he treats every student as a peer. He sees graduate students as our future colleagues, and therefore he treats them with the respect and collegiality that a colleague would deserve. This is true at every level—graduate student, undergraduate, or high-school student – all are potential future colleagues and deserve the same respect.” — Prof. Henry M. Levy