Innovation in Inclusive Teaching Recognized During Focus on Teaching & Technology Conference

During the 2021 Focus on Teaching & Technology Conference hosted by the University of Missouri - St. Louis, Janeal White received the Inclusion Diversity and Equity Award (IDEA).

From the nomination:

Janeal White is an innovative educator who creates opportunities for our fully online undergraduate students to explore critical course content using methods that honor and celebrate diverse ways of knowing. Through development of educational frameworks known as Learning Logs, Life Application Bridge, and LO-TEK, Janeal has created a dynamic learning environment that empowers students to explore key concepts in the context of their social environment and unique lived experiences. Janeal’s courses are strategically designed from a constructivist, andragogical, social justice perspective that engages and empowers our predominantly non-traditional, first-generation students. Janeal’s trauma informed teaching practices are critical to student success.

From anonymous Student Evaluation of Instruction:

· [Ms. White] teaches content in an interactive & sometimes unconventional way, which allows our mind to stay engaged. Her love for the subject matter is obvious. [She] very deeply and genuinely cares about her students. I have had constant problems with my health condition since day 1 and [she] has helped me, accommodated me, encouraged me, and even checked up on me consistently the entire time. [She] is still supporting me whole heartedly… remained steadfast and gave me understanding, compassion, encouragement, and reassurance.

· I cannot stress enough how much [Ms.] White factored into my continuing this semester [after the hurricanes]. I had lost hope…and I felt there was no way the semester could be salvaged. After all the fight had gone out of me, [she] helped me & encouraged me [and] gave me hope… I can do this now because I know [Ms.] White is in my corner.