Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning

Thank-a-Teacher

Teachers don’t always know how much impact they have on their students. As a way to celebrate them and let them know how they helped you, the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning invites you to thank a teacher at Mason who has made an impact on you!

How It Works

Your Thank-a-Teacher note will be submitted to the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning. It will also be included in a formal recognition letter from Provost Ginsberg to the teacher you are thanking. 

You can submit separate forms for as many past or present teachers as you want. You can even remain anonymous if you prefer.  

Thank you notes submitted before the end of the Spring semester will be delivered to instructors in August. 

In addition to sending your teacher a thank you note, you can also nominate exceptional professors for a teaching award. The link to that survey can be found here and also at the end of the Thank-a-Teacher form.  


Help spread the word about this program by sharing the flyer below with your classmates!

Mason Instructors Get Students Excited About Learning

 

…You have taught me how to read critically through the strategy of annotation and now I can’t read without applying this method. Students are interested in learning because of your energy and are often blown away because of your willingness to engage them as critical thinkers…you often ask me questions in class that I continue to ponder after the lesson is over…”

regarding Wendi Manuel-Scott
(CHSS-SIS)

Mason Instructors Get Students Excited About Learning

 

…You have an amazing ability to encourage students to contribute and discuss in your class, and I’ve never looked at the clock or checked my phone because I always pay attention and feel engaged…

 

regarding Keith Clark
(CHSS)

Mason Instructors Support Non-Traditional Pathways

 

…EAP 508 was the first class I took at GMU which encouraged me when I had doubts about the choice of the University…

 

regarding Sharon Doestch-Kidder
(INTO Mason)

Mason Instructors Support Non-Traditional Pathways

 

“…As a 40 year old, returning to school student, I value a lot you caring about the different constraints we have as working adults and your flexibility to give us time to visit after office hours to get the most out of this important course…” 

regarding Tim Porter
(BUSI)

Mason Instructors Support Non-Traditional Pathways

 

…You helped to show me that even at bigger schools, professors do care about their student’s success. Having you as a professor was a great transition to a new school!…

regarding Brett Hunter
(VSE)

Mason Instructors Inspire Personal Growth

 

…Your class really awakened my passion for research…It is not just a class project that I was eager to be finished with at the end of the semester; I really found myself becoming excited and connected to it…

 

regarding Xiaomei Cai
(CHSS)

Mason Instructors Inspire Personal Growth

 

…I am so glad to have been in your class. I finally felt that I knew what was going on and it was the first time in a long time I felt that I felt confident in my ability to do the exams and homework completely…You have opened up a part of computer science that I didn’t think I could ever even mildly understand.

 

Regarding Dov Gordon
(VSE)

Mason Instructors Inspire Personal Growth

 

…I don’t think I would have the skills to continue my next semester if I hadn’t of taken your class…your recommendation letter did not just get me my internship…it…gave me courage and the strength to go on when I had no more left…If more professors were like you, the world would become a better place for everyone.

 

regarding Amanda Stack
(CHSS)

Mason Instructors Inspire Personal Growth

 

…thank you for being so encouraging during class..even the little notes on my test really rocked my world. Becoming fluent in Russian is a big goal of mine and you really helped set me on the path to success…

 

regarding Elena Guglielmi
(CHSS)

Mason Instructors Inspire Personal Growth

 

Thank you for not giving up on me as a student and seeing my capabilities before my growth even started.

 

Regarding Marcie Fyock
(CEHD)

Mason Instructors Inspire Personal Growth

 

You’ve taught me to look at and appreciate not only my art but myself as well, and that’s a gift I never expected to receive…

 

regarding Steven Cushner
(CVPA)

Mason Instructors Help Students Feel “Seen” and Valued

 

…As a student that notoriously only shows up on exam days, even I enjoyed attending the lectures simply because of how exciting Dr. Luther made the class. He encouraged questions and discussions, seemed genuinely excited when someone had an extra comment or thought to make, and overall is just a wonderful professor

 

regarding David Luther
(COS)

Mason Instructors Help Students Feel “Seen” and Valued

 

…thank you for being the Professor who listened and gave me a platform to talk…Your class quickly became the one I would look forward to attend every week…You listened to me when many did not…

 

regarding Amy Swan
(CHSS)

Mason Instructors Add Value for Careers and Life-Long Learning

 

…As CS major and as a lady, I am overwhelmed by the number of guys in my class and when I saw you teaching that made me think it is possible for me too…Thank you for making…it…okay for us to be in that field…

 

regarding Katherine Russell
(VSE)

Mason Instructors Add Value for Careers and Life-Long Learning

 

Thank you for teaching us SPSS!!! …I use it at my job and I got promotion from my boss! Your teaching has made a difference in my career and respect I have from my boss.

 

regarding Vias Nicolides
(BUSI)

Mason Instructors Create Positive Online Learning Experiences

 

…I cannot recall any online class that I have participated in…that I have enjoyed as much as I did in your class…I feel wiser confronting unexpected circumstances than before taking this class…

 

regarding Frank Krueger
(COS)

Mason Instructors Create Positive Online Learning Experiences

 

…One of the reasons that I succeeded in this course is because of the live video sessions that were effectively used to convey course materials, foster class participation, and provided feedback regarding assignments…he took time out his busy day to share with me lessons he has learned during his professional career about communicating effectively…

 

regarding Leslie Taylor
(CHHS)

Mason Instructors Create Positive Online Learning Experiences

 

…one of the most clear and concise online professors that I have had.  He has been incredibly responsive, interactive with students, and made the course enjoyable.  Kudos

 

regarding Stephen Howes
(CHHS)