Campus News

UK College of Education Hosts 17th Annual Teachers Who Made a Difference Program

of

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 24, 2015) — "In medicine, 'oops' mistakes cost lives, so students require instructors such as Professor Fiscella to provide us with great discipline and guidance," said Bryan Tompkins, a student in the University of Kentucky Division of Physician Assistant Studies.

Suzanne Fiscella, showing genuine concern for her students and making it her mission to ensure they are adequately prepared for not only quizzes and board exams, but also as clinicians, was nominated by five different students for the UK College of Education's 2015 Teachers Who Made a Difference program

Fiscella is the associate clinical coordinator and a lecturer in the Division of Physician Assistant Studies in the College of Health Sciences, and is among a group of 168 educators from across Kentucky and other states honored this year for their efforts in inspiring and impacting their students.

"I am honored that my students nominated me," Fiscella said. "I have a passion for teaching and see it as a privilege to touch the lives of these students in a positive way."

“Teachers and students often develop strong relationships, with the impact of that bond lasting a lifetime, for many," said Mary John O'Hair, dean of the College of Education. "The UK College of Education is thankful to play a part in helping students show gratitude for a special teacher.”

 

Ben Riley, a kindergarten teacher at Eminence Independent Schools, was also among the honorees. For Riley, the honor was especially meaningful as he graduated from the College of Education last year and was connected to Eminence through his student teaching supervisor Mary Ann Vimont, the college's director of alumni and community affairs and associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

It didn't take long for Riley to have an impact. Less than a year after graduating, Riley was nominated by a student in his very first class, Bryce Berry. On her nomination form, the kindergartner wrote, "Mr. Riley is my first teacher. He has been great. He calls us rockstars. We sing and play on iPads. He is nice."

"During my first year of teaching, I planned to test waters and learn about myself as an instructor; I never knew even this early in my career I would be nominated for an award," Riley said. "It’s one of the most exciting and humbling moments I will treasure as a first year teacher."

At the 17th annual Teachers Who Made a Difference ceremony Saturday, April 18 — where a majority of honorees attended to celebrate and receive their award  Riley also accepted the College of Education's Friend of the College Award on behalf of Eminence Independent Schools.

The school district and Superintendent Buddy Berry, also a College of Education alumnus, went through the college's P20 Next Generation Leadership Academy, and Berry now serves on the college's Next Generation Leadership Team helping other schools achieve the same goals.

Each year, all Teacher Who Made a Difference submissions are accepted up to a predetermined limit with each being honored that year. Also each year, the program is assisted by a spokesperson who helps get the word out. In the past, John Calipari, Dermontti Dawson, Tubby Smith, Lee T. Todd Jr., Kyle Macy, and Dan and Cheri Issel have led the charge. From 2012-2014 and again this year, UK Women’s Basketball Coach Matthew Mitchell has served as the spokesperson.

“Teaching is my job, teaching is my passion. And it is something that I love and hope to do the rest of my life,” said Mitchell. “It is a tremendous thing to be a teacher.”

Submissions for the 2016 program will be accepted beginning in December 2015 at www.education.uky.edu/Community/TWMAD.    

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu