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Best Teacher Awards


Best Teacher
Awards Program 2007


"A Teacher affects eternity . . ." - Henry Brooks Adams

2007 Best Teacher Awards
Friday, February 16th; 6:30 p.m
Lory Student Center
North Ballroom

Tickets: $5 for students;
$20 for all others
To RSVP call
800-286-ALUM(2586)








Awards Home

2007 Best Teacher Award Recipients     

Glory Burns Dr. Glory Burns Pamela Coke Dr. Pamela Coke Jeffrey Miller Dr. Jeffrey Miller 
Lori Peek Dr. Lori Peek Dr. Edouard Thai Dexter Yarbrough Chief Dexter Yarbrough











2007 Best Teacher Recipient: Dr. Glory Burns - Finance Professor, College of Business, CSU

Glory BurnsDr. Glory Burns teaches Finance courses in the College of Business and oversees the Summit Student Investment Fund, a course that teaches students how to invest in the stock market. Dr. Burns has a JD from the University of Puget Sound, MBA from the University of Denver, and a BS from the University of Colorado.

“I really enjoyed Glory’s class. Her enthusiasm was contagious! She made analyzing stock interesting, exciting, and fun!”

“Glory made it very clear that her goal was to teach us materials that will apply to real world applications and how to function in a professional atmosphere as professionals and not students. Glory helped break down barriers that many associate with undergraduate classes such as group work and team building activities.”

“As a student I felt confident and energetic knowing that the next class period I would attend Glory would have put in the work to make it the best experience possible for us.”

“I will continue to recommend Glory Burns as an outstanding professor in the Finance department and an overall great asset to not just the College of Business but Colorado State University as well.”

 


2007 Best Teacher Recipient: Dr. Pamela Coke - Assistant Professor,
English Education & NCTE Sponsor, CSU

Pamela CokeDr. Pamela Coke is an Assistant Professor of English Education and the sponsor for the CSU chapter of NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English). Dr. Coke has been with the English department since 2002. She received her PhD in Language, Literacy and Culture from the University of Iowa and has worked as an instructor, researcher and tutor of reading and writing instruction methodology for K-12 teachers.

“Pam is committed to the field of education and this is apparent in all she does. She caters to her students' multiple intelligences and lets them create projects that are in their areas of expertise. She has a great way of creating a strong sense of community in her classroom. She creates very personal relationships with all of her students that make them feel both welcome and safe. She has really made me feel welcome and accepted at CSU.”

“Pam is constantly reminded us that we aren't just reading literature. Everything in those books is something that people have to deal with in everyday life, and we need to figure out how to respond to those situations. Without saying so, she reminded us that we can't just read books, we have to accept that sometimes we're forced to live them, and we need to respond and guide and help as much as possible.”

“She is more than an educator; she is a model of professionalism and integrity. Dr. Coke is someone I aspire to emulate in my teaching career.”


2007 Best Teacher Recipient: Dr. Jeffrey Miller - Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Food Science & Human Nutrition, CSU


Jeffrey MillerDr. Jeffrey Miller is a Certified Executive Chef and Certified Culinary Educator with over 20 years foodservice industry experience. He received his PhD from the School of Education at Colorado State University in May 2006. He is Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Food Science and Human Nutrition and Program Coordinator in the Restaurant & Resort Management Program. In addition to the Best Teacher Award, Dr. Miller won the CSU College of Applied Human Sciences, Tenure Track Faculty Member of the Year Award in 2007.

“He is a great listener, and is always looking for ways he can help his students achieve the best possible education they can.”

“Dr. Miller shows a penchant for his craft, as well as enthusiasm in the classroom. He is clearly passionate about his work, and is always there to support his students.”

“Dr. Miller is fair, honest, and fun to have in class. His lectures are informative, relatable, and interactive.”

“Dr. Miller knows his students as more than just a number. He takes the time to get to know each student, and seems to cater to their individual needs. Dr. Miller has made my CSU experience extremely enjoyable, and I hope he continues to share his gift with future students.”


2007 Best Teacher Recipient: Dr. Lori Peek - Assistant Professor, Sociology, CSU

Lori PeekDr. Lori Peek is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Colorado State University. This is her second year at CSU, and she teaches classes in race and ethnic relations, contemporary sociological theory, the sociology of disasters, and qualitative research methods. Peek’s research focuses on the study of vulnerable populations in disasters.

Her most recent research projects include an exploration of identity formation processes among second-generation Muslim Americans after the September 11 terrorist attacks, a study of children’s experiences in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina, and an examination of the relocation experiences of Hurricane Katrina evacuees currently residing in Colorado. She received her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2005.

“Her commitment to CSU is demonstrated in the effort she puts into her teaching and her care for her students. Not only is she a great professor, but she is the most respectable woman that I know.”

“You can tell right away that she is really passionate about her field. She also has a lot of energy. When a professor has a lot of energy, it energizes the class.”

“Dr. Peek is very sincere and listens to every opinion, has no bias, and really wants people to make a difference in the world. Dr. Peek teaches us how to help other.”

“Not only am I growing grade-wise, but growing educationally, socially, and intellectually.”

 


2007 Best Teacher Recipient: Dr. Edouard Thai - Professor, French, Foreign Languages & Literature, CSU

Dr. Edouard Thai teaches French in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature. He has requested no exposure for winning this award.

 


2007 Best Teacher Recipient: Chief Dexter Yarbrough - Chief of Police, CSU

Dexter YarbroughChief Dexter Yarbrough has been the Chief of Police at Colorado State University since 2003. He is responsible for providing law enforcement services designed to protect and preserve life and property for a population of 40,000. In addition to being chief of police, Chief Yarbrough teaches Criminal Justice courses as an adjunct faculty member in the Sociology Department. Chief Yarbrough has a Master’s of Public Administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a BS in Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University.

“He teaches at the student level, meaning he is down to earth and understands how we like to operate. He creates an environment where everyone feels comfortable and in times when class may not be bearable due to the content, then he'll understandably excuse you.”

“Chief Yarbrough is not only taking care of the campus, but he also takes care of his students. He makes sure his students get the proper information to better their daily lives and future careers. He takes the time to be with his students, in and out of the classroom.”

“Chief stands out because he makes a connection with his students, commits to their learning if they are willing to put in the effort, and sacrifices his own time to set up hands-on activities for his students to apply the things learned in class.”

“Chief shows a lot of heart in each lecture and makes sure that every student does the best they possibly can and really challenges us to be the best. He makes us want to do well.”