Bioengineering Teaching Assistants Recognized

Teaching is one of the most important jobs in the world. From elementary school to grad school, good teachers can mold and shape a bright young mind into a powerful force. In the department of bioengineering, four Teaching Assistants have been recognized for their invaluable contributions to this lineage. Will Newman, Joseph Tibbs, Goodluck Okoro, and Jaena Park have all been awarded the Bioengineering Teaching Excellence Fellowships for their outstanding teaching ability and passion. The criteria are that nominees be in good academic standing and “have demonstrated exemplary teaching assistant skills and a commitment to excellence in undergraduate or graduate instruction,” which are values the four awardees exemplify.

“For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is the opportunity to engage with students and be part of their experience here on campus; most importantly, igniting their curiosity about bioengineering,” said Goodluck Okoro. “I enjoy creating an interactive learning environment where students feel inspired to explore the grand challenges we have for the class and understand their real-world applications. It’s always exciting to see how students creatively expand on the ideas discussed in class and tackle complex problems.”

Several of the awardees had positive experiences with teachers growing up. “I think I most remember the ways that my previous teachers took the time to really listen to what their students needed,” said Joseph Tibbs. “If that means finding a new way to explain the material or giving students the chance to demonstrate their understanding through unconventional means, they would find the time to accommodate that.”

Jaena Park felt recognized by this award, saying “this award validates my efforts to inspire students to explore the subject matter more deeply. It motivates me to continue evolving as an educator to interact with students and better prepare my knowledge for them.”

When asked about his advice to future teachers, Goodluck said “prioritize creating a student-centered learning environment. Get to know your students—understand their strengths, challenges, and interests, and tailor your teaching to meet them where they are. Also, be patient with both yourself and your students; learning is a process, and it's okay if things don’t go perfectly the first time.”

Teaching isn’t a one way street- what you give, you get back. Joseph recalls one student who went out of his way to acknowledge him. “In an email, a student told me that they really admired the way I conducted class.  This was after a lab period where I spent the first five minutes giving a brief explanation of why the material we were learning that day was important to me.  It turns out that the same operational amplifier technology that is so important to all medical diagnostic instruments is based on the same physical principles as the amplifiers in music, and the history of this technology is entwined with guitar effect pedals and electronic synthesizers.  I love music and I tried to convey this interest in my introduction; I wasn't sure if anyone else really cared, but getting that email the next day really lifted my spirits.”

With Teaching Assistants like this, the future of the department is bright. “I’m genuinely appreciative of the Department of Bioengineering here at UIUC for providing me with such an opportunity,” said Goodluck. “Working with Professor Ali Ansari was a fantastic experience, and I look forward to more opportunities like this to continue developing new teaching skills.”