By Abisola Adeyemi/ reporter
To honor Teacher Appreciation Day, the NE Student Government Association recognized teachers voted on by the students with cake and certificates April 18.
Teachers were awarded in three divisions: Kihyoung Choi for the humanities division, Ann Triplett for the technical and social sciences division and Lisa Uhlir for the business and social sciences division.
“All the students wanted to vote and had so many teachers that it was really hard for them to make a decision, so I promised them we would have it every year,” said SGA president Donna De Lisser.
The SGA took votes throughout the semester.
“We took votes both at spring and fall fests. We also sat in the NTAB and NSTU buildings and took votes,” she said. “It’s all done by students.”
The student government is the voice of the student body, De Lisser said.
“We are here to help administration make policy for the student body,” she said.
The SGA is working on a webcast to make it easier for students to participate in voting in the future.
“I think all of our teachers are very personable about their teaching,” she said. “I think they have high standards, but they have a heart and aren’t at a level higher than the students, and maybe they treat them similar as they would their daughter or their son with that much care and attention. I think we have some of the most high-quality teachers.”
When dance professor Choi received her award, she explained the feeling as great.
“That award was also more meaningful than any other award because it was based on student votes,” she said. “But the most important thing for me is how my students learn from me.”
Choi said she wanted her students to learn more than dance.
“Students are not only learning for their knowledge,” she said. “They are learning to become better people as well.”
Hannah Rodriguez started taking Choi’s classes a year ago.
“It’s been phenomenal,” she said. “I feel like I’ve grown a lot. I’ve had previous dance experience. I feel like she has helped me improve more than I could have ever imagined.”
Rodriguez described Choi’s personality as loving but firm.
“She does everything for the better of us,” she said.
Uhlir said it’s always rewarding to be appreciated for what she does.
“To have students tell me this was a double blessing,” she said. “I feel very empowered by their acknowledgement.”
Uhlir said she strives every day to motivate, empower and show her students she cares. She believes TCC students are blessed with a passion for knowledge that can’t be found elsewhere.
“They have to be here in spite of the outside forces that attempt to make an education difficult,” she said. “I try to acknowledge and fuel that flame while helping students realize it exists inside them.”
Uhlir believes her students recognize that she cares. She wants to be a part of their success stories.
“I want to give them the power to achieve their dreams,” she said.
