Excellence in Teaching, 2010
Nivedita (Niva) Gupta believes that when things go right you learn a lot, but when things go wrong you learn even more.
That鈥檚 why she loves teaching, and why one of her favorite classes to teach is a chemical engineering unit operations lab. The lab calls for students to do experiments based only on the theory they鈥檝e learned in class, often without any other lab experience鈥攁nd that leaves lots of room for failure.
鈥淚 learn so much even as I鈥檓 teaching,鈥 Gupta says. 鈥淪tudents have interesting ways of looking at things and I often wonder, 鈥榳hy didn鈥檛 I think of that?鈥 Even though I usually teach the same classes every year, the way one teaches is never the same. It鈥檚 exciting to see students piece the puzzle together鈥攖hat Aha! moment. I personally believe they can be successful, each and every one of them.鈥
Gupta knew by her second year as an undergraduate engineering student that she wanted to teach. And when she first visited 易胜博官网 nine years ago, she knew this was the place to do it.
鈥淭he chemical engineering department has a strong tradition of valuing teaching and that was important to me,鈥 she says. 鈥淚鈥檝e found there is no one right way to teach, but that your personal philosophy plays an important role. I really do emphasize that all students be treated as equals. It鈥檚 important to be compassionate, but the playing field must be level for everyone and I try to be as objective as possible.鈥
Gupta says that while she鈥檚 mostly found her own way, she appreciates her mentors. 鈥淚 look forward to talking with them at professional meetings and sharing research as colleagues,鈥 she says.
鈥淣iva is able to cultivate a positive, learner-centered classroom that focuses on active learning,鈥 says
P.T. Vasudevan, professor and chair of chemical engineering. 鈥淪he has very high expectations and she is tough, but at the same time she is able to relate to students鈥 needs, has good interpersonal skills, and displays a professional sense of commitment to her responsibilities.鈥
鈥擡rika Mantz
About this Award
Each year, the University selects a small number of its outstanding faculty for special recognition of their achievements in teaching, scholarship, and service. Awards for Excellence in Teaching are given in each college and school, and University-wide awards recognize public service, research, teaching, and engagement.
