Mr. Christian is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of History, where he has been a graduate student since 2002. His several years of teaching experience have included courses in Chicana and Chicano Studies, Black Studies, as well as history classes in pre-history and Western civilization.
A fellow graduate student describes Mr. Christian’s teaching style as that of “a seasoned teacher and leader.” The colleague continues by saying that “He stood out from the rest. He became a role model for other TAs to emulate… His unwavering commitment to high standards, challenging intellectual endeavors, and compassionate service makes our department shine.”
One of his professors states “without exaggeration or hyperbole that Laurence was the most effective, passionate, and hard-working teaching assistant that I have worked with since arriving at UCSB ten years ago.”
Many of his student evaluation comments indicate that while Mr. Christian expects high standards for his students, he does so with compassion and heart. One of his former students writes, “When sitting down thinking of what has caused such a dramatic change in my scholarly habits, the person who came first to my mind was you. While you didn’t necessarily make me smart, you definitely helped me to realize my potential. I owe you big. Thanks a lot Laurence, you’ve really helped to make a difference in my life.” That student is now in his second year of medical school.
Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
Mario Guerrero
Mr. Guerrero is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science, where he has been a graduate student since 2006. Upon starting his studies at UCSB “[h]e immediately distinguished himself in the classroom,” according to one of his professors.
A professor of his notes, “Mario really reaches students. I hear this from students in my office. And I see it in our teaching evaluations. They praise him across the board…but are especially thankful for his availability and the way he welcomes students.” And another of his professors describes Mario in the following way, “He is flourishing as a scholar; he is a leader among his peers; and as a teacher, he is remarkably gifted.”
Several of his supporters commented on the great lengths to which Mario goes to convey the material to his classes. One student commented on the extensive material found on his course website, including “ten YouTube videos he made himself showing us how to generate statistics and graphs in SPSS that we needed for our final papers. This detailed website is a demonstration of how devoted Mario is to his students’ success.”
One student praises Mr. Guerrero, stating, “Mario exemplifies exactly what a teaching assistant should be: brilliant, patient, creative, honest, critical, and the list can go on.”
Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
Indy Marie Hurt
Indy Hurt, is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Geography. Most of the classes for which Indy has served as a TA involved GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and she is highly acclaimed for her understanding and use of technology as a teaching tool.
One of her professors writes, “The courses I have taught over the past 40 years have employed well over 100 graduate students as TAs, and I can say without qualification that Indy ranks among the absolute best – in a small group that have all won campus-level awards for their work.” Another professor writes simply, “Indy Hurt is one of our very best graduate students.” And adds, “More than anything else, it is the fact I hear from undergraduates about her excellence that convinces me that Indy deserves broad recognition for her style, her commitment, and her valuable time.”
According to one of her students, “Indy’s rapport among students in amazing. Everyone who knows her loves her. Once a student has had one class with her they try to get into her class for the next quarter…. I am saddened that she has now taken time off from teaching to finish her PhD, however, if and when she becomes a professor, I will be the first person signed up for her class.”
Another student writes, “Over my undergraduate career at UC Santa Barbara I have had many caring, smart, and helpful teaching assistants. In fact, I have never had a TA at UCSB that I didn’t like or get along with, or who didn’t seem to have some concern for how the students are doing in the class. However, not a single one of them can even compare to the phenomenal Indy Hurt.”
Finally, one of Ms. Hurt’s students states simply, “If Indy Hurt doesn’t deserve this award I really don’t know who would.”
Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
Nicole Ann Molinari
Ms. Molinari is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, & Marine Biology, where she has been a graduate student since 2006. She has served as the TA for several courses in the department, including classes in botany, ecology, and phycology. She receives particular praise for TAing a class in physiological plant ecology, which includes upper division undergraduates as well as fellow graduate students. Her professor commends her ability to “handle her TA duties with tremendous effect and sensitivity.”
One of her professors comments that Nicole is “one of those rare students who is a natural born teacher with an instinctual ability to convey knowledge to students with a range of backgrounds and learning modes, stimulate thinking, and make students want to learn.” She is described as “a creative, open minded problem solver with excellent listening skills and deep patience for helping students learn to think and ask clear questions rather than simply to memorize and regurgitate information.”
Many of her supporters comment on Ms. Molinari’s enthusiasm. One student compares her enthusiasm and desire for her students to do well with that of “a soccer coach that wants his team to win the division.” Another student writes, “At the same time that she is enthusiastic and accessible, Nicole is an accomplished intellectual.”
Finally, one of her students writes, “You are probably already aware that Nicole is a highly competent scientist. What I would like to share with you today is that she is also an outstanding instructor and academic mentor, she raises the motivation level of both individual students and entire classes, and thereby elevates student performance. She will make a fine addition to the faculty of any university.”
