|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|
Gina creates an interesting learning environment for her students by having them participate in mock archaeological digs, treasure hunts, re-enactments, and field trips. She also incorporates wikis, online discussion boards, and Web quests in her classes. Gina has
developed and taught Honors Program classes and works with the program on a
continuing basis. Before coming to Moraine Valley, she worked in several museums
as a curator, conservator, and educator. She has traveled extensively and
believes her trips help her to be a better instructor. “Since I’ve actually been
to, or experienced in person, many of the sites and art forms featured in our
course material, I can share these experiences with our students,” she says.
“I feel teaching is the greatest job in the world,” says Ricky Moore. “We are in a place to reach out and lift our students up so they get a successful start.” To help them succeed, he first tries to gain their trust so they’ll be open to learning the skills and concepts he’s teaching. Ricky does this by infusing humor into his classroom, and incorporating games, group work, and out-of-the-ordinary approaches to keep things fresh and make learning fun. As a full-time faculty member in the Information Technology program since 2001, he teaches computer networking (LAN) classes, including the CISCO courses we offer. Prior to that, he worked as a network engineer in the IT department. Ricky believes our information technology classes are “second to none” and that our students greatly benefit by working on the same equipment they’ll use on the job. “I’m proud of the fact that when our students graduate, they not only understand theory and concepts, they’re ready for immediate employment,” he says. Ricky says everyone at the college contributes to our students’ success and helps make this a great place to get an education. He says, “I once had a student who took a couple of classes in our program and then went off to a four-year university. The next semester, the student was back, and I asked him ‘what happened?’ He replied, ‘It just wasn’t Moraine Valley.’”
“I value every minute I spend with my students,” says Michelle Zurawski. “I use many avenues to relate concepts in biology to their daily lives.” She teaches General Biology I and II and Zoology I. Michelle gives assignments that revolve around real world applications such as having students analyze the ingredients of their favorite snack food. She keeps lectures interesting by interspersing video clips from popular TV and nature programs and allowing students to respond to questions using remote control ‘clickers.’ Michelle says, “A lot of students come into biology thinking it is going to be so hard, but I like to make concepts easy to understand and provide an experience where they walk away thinking biology is awesome and fun.” Michelle is
a member of the college’s Green Team and a passionate advocate for protecting
the environment. “As a diver with over 250 dives logged, I’ve seen some of the
most beautiful and healthy reefs in the world, and I’ve seen reefs near death,”
she says. She wants others to understand why we must alter some of our behaviors
to care for our world. “Changes we make to ensure a healthy environment will
improve our own health and the health of other organisms,” she says. That’s why
she’s excited to serve on the Green Team. “The team members bring so much
infectious enthusiasm and knowledge to greening all areas of the college. It’s
important for Moraine Valley to be a source of reliable environmental
information and a good role model to students and the community,” she says. |
|
Gina
Miceli-Hoffman
Ricky
Moore
Michelle
Zurawski
