Mechanical Engineering Faculty Member Recognized with Teaching Excellence Award
The University of Texas at Dallas recently honored five educators with annual President’s Teaching Excellence Awards for their positive influence in the classroom and innovative approaches to teaching. UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson recognized the recipients for their accomplishments in a virtual event April 29. This is the fourth year the Center for Teaching and Learning has celebrated faculty members for their outstanding efforts.
“Bright young minds continually choose to pursue higher education at UT Dallas, in part because of our esteemed faculty,” said Benson, the Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership. “I want to thank these educators for their contributions to the success of the University and for their expertise and dedication in a year of unprecedented challenges.”
The President’s Teaching Excellence Awards Committee receives hundreds of nominations every year and considers a broad spectrum of eligible candidates from across the University. The award comes with a stipend, and recipients are presented with medallions.
This year, Dr. Dani Fadda, an associate professor of practice in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, was recognized for online and blended instruction.
What is the most rewarding part of the teaching experience?
“I am very thankful to faculty who invested in my education and mentors who helped me develop a career in mechanical engineering. The most rewarding part of my teaching experience now is to offer education and mentorship to others and watch people earn degrees and gain skills so they can have great careers and a better future.”
What is one of your favorite memories from teaching at UT Dallas?
“I was invited to attend a tour at a local company. While walking through their hallways, I cherish the memory of visiting with so many mechanical engineers who had previously taken my classes. They lead, innovate and contribute to the overall success of the company. I think they are doing very well, and I feel so proud to have been a small part of their journey.”
What was the best part of your teaching experience this year?
“Several assignments in my online classes require video presentations. People say very interesting things to their professor when they are on camera. The best part of my teaching experience this year is to watch the presentations with great anticipation to what will be said next.”
A version of this story also ran in News Center.