OXFORD,
Miss. – The accolades for Laura Williams resemble that of a Hollywood
blockbuster. “Engaging.” “Inspirational.” “Brilliant.”
A
graduate instructor in the University of Mississippi School of Business
Administration, Williams reaps such acclaim from her students, and the
praises haven’t gone unnoticed. She was recently honored with the
university’s 2008-09 Graduate Instructor/Teaching Assistant Award.
“Ms.
Williams truly is a remarkable teacher worthy of this prestigious
honor,” said Joi Todd, a sophomore business major from Jackson. “I
nominated her for the award because of the kindness, patience and
excellence exhibited both in her teaching style and personal conduct.”
“Ms.
Williams exemplifies amazing qualities,” said Katherine Sneed, a junior
accounting major from Jackson. “Within the first class, she knew each
and every one of our names. I’ve never had a teacher so eager to know
all of their students.”
A doctoral degree candidate in
organizational behavior in the UM business school, Williams said she
was thankful to receive the honor, sometimes called the Apple Award,
from UM’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The award
includes a $1,000 prize.
“It’s really an honor to be recognized for something I love doing,” said the Franklin, Tenn., native. “Having terrific students and knowing that I am making a difference in their lives really makes teaching a lot of fun.”
The only universitywide recognition for graduate instructors, the Apple Award aims to inspire teaching assistants to become better teachers, said Johnny Lott, CETL director. More than 100 new teaching assistants are hired annually at Ole Miss.
“We have numerous graduate instructors on campus helping to serve our undergraduate students,” Lott said. “I’m not sure the university could function without these teaching assistants.”
Williams most recently taught a 300-level management course, which enrolled more than 60 students. Instead of simply lecturing and administering multiple choice exams, Williams required writing assignments and student participation, said Walter Davis, chair and associate professor of management.
“Laura has earned a reputation as a motivated, caring and very effective teacher. She has a bright future.”
Williams said she has dreamed of becoming a teacher since her early childhood. So much so, she recalls playing school at home during the summer. It doesn’t hurt to have teaching in her bloodlines, either. Her mother and grandmother were both teachers.
“Having teachers from kindergarten all the way through college put so much effort into making me who I am really inspired me to turn around and offer the same thing to others,” Williams said.
Her approach in the classroom is simple, yet direct.
“I want my students to have an experience,” she said. “I want to involve them, include them and engage them to make sure they learn and grasp the ideas, and hopefully it changes them in the process.”
Williams received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Lipscomb University in Nashville. She hopes to complete her doctoral degree at UM by May 2010.