Rosemond Moore, South Texas College associate professor of Business Administration is the college’s 2021 Faculty of the Year. Additionally, Lydia Bean, instructor of Education, is the eFaculty of the Year. The women’s honors came through a nomination and selection process by their peers.

“This has been amazing because it comes from my colleagues and being recognized by those who do what we do day in and day out is really an honor,” Moore said. “One of the things that I would really like to emphasize, though, is that I would haven’t received this honor if it wasn’t for the faculty who have mentored me. I don’t think I would be here if it wasn’t for those faculty who came before me, who shared their own experiences … these are individuals who I look up to as colleagues and friends.”

The Faculty of the Year award recognizes the extraordinary contributions and quality service of faculty members supporting the mission of STC.

The Faculty of the Year award honors faculty who are committed to excellence in the five main areas of faculty performance: Teaching and Learning, Student Success, Professional Development, Leadership and College Service, Community Service and Creating a College-going Culture.

“This outstanding achievement represents instructional innovation in teaching and an unwavering commitment to academic success,” said STC Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Anahid Petrosian. “Here at South Texas College, we are fortunate to have faculty that are committed to excellence in the classroom, whether it is in a face-to-face or online environment; they are true champions of student success.”

Focusing On Individual Students

Every student has the potential for greatness, is a teaching philosophy that Moore adheres to, and is founded in the belief that success comes naturally when expectations for students are centered around active participation, collaboration, asking questions, making connections, sharing and integrating.

For Moore, it’s an approach that is based on performance in the real world combined with essential traits for educators that include integrity, compassion and inspiration above all.

With this philosophy applied, Moore said her goal is to provide every single student with an individual approach that increases understanding and knowledge.

“Through this individualistic approach, it is important that my course design take into account different learning styles,” Moore said. “The other key element of my philosophy is to embrace each student’s personal and professional experiences and integrate real activities and assignments.”

Going Beyond Virtual

Moore’s colleague, Bean, has also received accolades from fellow faculty for her work in the virtual classroom.

Bean’s classes change semester to semester to give students more and better opportunities to learn and grow. When it comes to virtual learning, her innovation in the classroom is well designed and user-friendly.

“Dr. Bean is always happy with a smile on her face and she is able to transmit that happiness and energy to her students online and face to face,” said STC Education Department Chair Juan Ramirez. “Dr. Bean is quite innovative and she is always looking for ways for students to learn and internalize course content as they become independent and critical thinkers. She is a great team member and shares her innovations with the department so the rest of the faculty can implement the great things she is doing.”

From her Monday motivation and weekly wrap-up videos, virtual conversations with students regarding course content and a “high-impact” service learning project that requires all students to complete five hours of volunteer work, service-learning or collegial involvement during the semester, Bean offers a style of teaching that goes beyond the traditional virtual format for classes.

Bean’s teaching philosophy centers on a student-centered, constructivist approach where she incorporates reflective journaling, personal assessments, e-portfolios, collaborative activities, collegiate involvement and service learning/volunteerism to help students make connections between their past experiences.

“Be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons,” Bean says in one of her virtual motivational videos to students. “It means be different, be unique and be ok with being different and unique. Stand out. Be You. Embrace the ‘you-ness.’  A lot of the class deals with self-discovery, self-reflection and self-awareness … we’re going to be different from other people.”

STC will recognize the two faculty members during the Fall 2022 Academic Affairs Convocation on Aug. 15.