Celebrating Teaching Day Spotlights Excellence in Teaching
On March 14th, 2024, instructors from all six colleges at Georgia Tech gathered for Celebrating Teaching Day, a signature annual event hosted by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). This event honors the commitment and passion exhibited by faculty and instructors in their teaching roles.
Isis Artze-Vega
Each Celebrating Teaching Day features a keynote address, a poster session, and recognition of outstanding educators. This year’s keynote was presented by Isis Artze-Vega, who serves as college provost and vice president for academic affairs at Valencia College in Central Florida. Titled “Leveraging the Transformative Power of Human Connections for Faculty and Student Success,” her keynote emphasized the importance of fostering meaningful relationships in academia. Artze-Vega highlighted the positive impact of such connections on both academic and personal development, urging faculty to prioritize building relationships in and out of the classroom.
During the event, faculty who received Thank-a-Teacher notes, CIOS Awards, or made the 2023 Semester Honor Roll were honored for their exemplary contributions to Georgia Tech. These educators were commended for their dedication to providing engaging and supportive learning experiences for students.
Tiffiny Hughes-Troutman, professor of the practice in the School of Psychology, was recognized at Celebrating Teaching Day for receiving a CIOS Award, several Thank-a-Teacher notes, and making the Semester Honor Roll. When asked how she creates a thriving learning environment for her students, Hughes-Troutman stated, “I strive to create a psychologically safe space in the classroom so that students can express their thoughts and feelings without judgment. This helps them to fail safely, bounce back, and strengthen their resilience.”
The Center for Teaching and Learning supports 15 Communities of Practice, Teaching Fellows, and Faculty Learning Communities, all of which were recognized for their commitment to teaching and learning during the event. Carol Subiño Sullivan, CTL’s assistant director of faculty teaching and learning initiatives, noted that each of these groups “advance a diversity of teaching and learning initiatives. Celebrating Teaching Day brings them all together to share their work and inspire the entire Georgia Tech community.”
Poster Session
Celebrating Teaching Day also seeks to facilitate idea-sharing, community-building, and innovation centered around excellence in teaching. During the poster session, faculty discussed innovative teaching projects from across campus. Attendees had the chance to explore a diverse range of initiatives enhancing Tech’s educational experiences, from AI literacy to sustainability teaching.
Celebrating Teaching Day serves as a testament to Georgia Tech’s commitment to excellence in education. By recognizing and celebrating the efforts of dedicated educators, the Institute reinforces its mission to prioritize students and provide them with high-quality learning experiences. The Center for Teaching and Learning extends its thanks to the many dedicated faculty members upholding Tech’s reputation as a leader in higher education.
