妖姬直播

The Domino Effect of Loving the Classroom

Joy of teaching for mathematical science professor at 妖姬直播 State Tuscarawas leads to joy of learning
Jeffrey Osikiewicz

For Jeffrey Osikiewicz, Ph.D., the teaching experience feels like a domino effect, one element leads to another to yet another.

鈥淚f you come in as an instructor and you really like what you're doing, you enjoy the classroom. You enjoy the class and the students pick up on it,鈥� Osikiewicz said. 鈥淭hey give it back to you. It goes for every classroom, and it makes for a beautiful experience.鈥�  

Osikiewicz, associate professor of mathematical science at 妖姬直播 State University at Tuscarawas, believes this teaching/domino effect creates a bond between him and his students. 

Osikiewicz is one of three 2023 Distinguished Teaching Award winners. This honor is sponsored by the 妖姬直播 State Alumni Association and awarded to tenured or tenure-track professors each year who impact students both in and out of the classroom. This is the highest teaching award a tenured or tenure-track professor can receive from the university with nominations coming from students and colleagues. 

Osikiewicz Receiving DTA Award 2023

Osikiewicz鈥檚 teaching philosophy is heavily focused on students and has three guiding principles.

"Respect: Always respect your students and they will return that respect,鈥� Osikiewicz wrote in response to his nomination this year. 鈥淭rust: Trust your students and always give them the benefit of the doubt. They are young and inexperienced, but honest and of good heart. Enjoy: Teaching is such a wonderful and rewarding profession. Enjoy every class and enjoy every student.鈥�  

His student evaluations reflect this. One student noted that Osikiewicz 鈥渃reates a comfortable space for the students by giving us the respect that we deserve to portray that respect back. He holds us responsible for our actions.鈥�

Osikiewicz's love for teaching began with an assistantship during his master's program at Youngstown State University. And In 1998, he began teaching at 妖姬直播 State Tuscarawas and has not looked back.  

Osikiewicz DTA Cake

In his 37 years of teaching, Osikiewicz has grown along with his students. His domino effect benefits him as well as his students.  

鈥淲hen you're at a great campus, you enjoy coming to work,鈥� Osikiewicz said. 鈥淵ou just naturally want to do well when you鈥檙e surrounded by a good environment.鈥�  

In a support letter for the award, a colleague wrote that math can be an intimidating subject for students, but Osikiewicz finds a way to help students gain faith in themselves.  

鈥淎s a math professor, he must help students overcome the general dislike of math they bring into the classroom,鈥� this colleague wrote. 鈥淭hat he can help them not only master the subject but also leave with a new sense of 鈥榤ath confidence鈥� and excitement for the subject is a true testament to his teaching skill!鈥�

Osikiewicz Posing with DTA award

Passion and compassion make up a large part of Osikiewicz鈥檚 methodology in the classroom. He said being in the classroom is the best part of his day, and he makes sure students feel comfortable coming to him for help. 

Osikiewicz sets up his classes 鈥渓ab style,鈥� where students follow along in a prepared lecture, then during the second half of class he prioritizes meeting with students to go over any concerns or questions they may have to strengthen their relationship and the learning environment. 

鈥淵ou have to enjoy every class. You have to enjoy every student,鈥� Osikiewicz said. 鈥淪tudents feed off that because it goes both ways.鈥�  

In response to how Osikiewicz has demonstrated commitment to helping students learn, a student from one of Osikiewicz鈥檚 Introductory Statistics classes wrote in the class evaluation that the classroom check-ins and Osikiewicz's compassion were the best parts of being his student.

鈥淎s he has instilled throughout the semester, Dr. O. has demonstrated compassion and the willingness to succeed on his student鈥檚 behalf through weekly discussions and progress checks,鈥� a student wrote.  

All 2023 UTC Honorees

Osikiewicz was honored on Friday, Oct. 20 at the University Teaching Council meeting, along with the other Distinguished Teaching Award and Outstanding Teaching Award nominees and winners.

UTC 2023 Award Plaques

Learn more about the Distinguished Teaching Award.   

Learn more about Department of Mathematical Sciences.

POSTED: Thursday, November 2, 2023 08:52 AM
Updated: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 03:16 PM
WRITTEN BY:
Francesca Malinky, Flash Communications
Youvisit Pixel