Have you ever been in a classroom where your teacher simply did not care about you?
While my hope is that you have been positively impacted by every professor at Virginia Tech, in reality, it is evident that this is not the case. The tenure process at Tech gives professors academic freedom; simply stated, some professors do not have incentives to improve the learning environment inside of a classroom. I believe we, as students, deserve more.
If you are as fortunate as I have been, you might have had one or two professors, like Steve Skripak, who go beyond the call of duty for the welfare of his students. Here is the exact e-mail that I received from professor Skripak, associate dean of graduate programs for the Pamplin College of Business and my professor for an upper-level finance course, which is built on the framework and mission to apply successful techniques in the “real world.”
“Good morning folks,
This morning, it occurred to me that we are halfway through the course, and that I have yet to hear any feedback from anyone about ways I might improve it. Obviously, I am hoping that the class is proving to be a worthwhile use of your time, and if that’s why I’ve heard no input, that’s fine. But I do want to remind you that it’s student feedback that will help me deliver a course that is useful to all of you, so if any mid-semester adjustments are in order, please do let me know. We have some interesting topics coming up like case interviewing, formulating effective interview questions, and negotiating job offers, so I hope the best is still to come.
See you in class later today. By the way, any input that you’d like to offer anonymously can be slipped under the door to the MBA office after hours. I promise we don’t have any surveillance cameras!
Steve”
This is what professors should be doing all the time — asking for feedback from students about ways they can make their experience better. Not only does this show students how approachable they are, but it adds to their learning experience. Classrooms should be more focused on building a community, one built on the framework of accountability and actively caring.
As students, we need to appreciate and recognize those teachers who go above the status quo and help those who do not. We all complain every day about those teachers who do not meet our expectations and yet we don’t offer them feedback to improve.
However, teachers should want their students to have the optimal learning experience while they are at Tech.
Although we all appreciate those professors who go beyond the call of duty, have you ever told them that you appreciate their effort? By having the courage to voice your suggestions and appreciation, you can define your experience and the experience for your professors. Other professors will hopefully want to be recognized, so they will follow suit. Seeing that you can improve the school and make a professor’s day with a simple thank you, the question remains, will you take the time?
