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Cheryl Potenza-Radis, Ph.D., assistant professor of Early Childhood Education in the School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies, uses her classroom to build significant partnerships and relationships with students.  

“Out of everything, the most enjoyable and significant part of my job is the relationships,” Potenza-Radis told ������ Today. “I teach at least 80 students every semester. It’s important for me to know them all by name and learn a bit about them.”

Potenza-Radis received the Outstanding Teaching award. This recognition, awarded by the University Teaching Council, honors full-time, non-tenure-track and part-time faculty members who are nominated by their students for being among the most dedicated, highly effective and motivated professors at ������.

“When I received the award, in my presentation I said how ‘teaching is not for the faint of heart,’” said Potenza-Radis. “It takes a lot, and you give a lot. But it’s all worth it in the end. So, it is very significant and important to receive such an honor.”  

She also said that she is lucky because every student in the program has to go through her teaching phonics and word study class.

Knowing her students is critical for Potenza-Radis, but it’s equally important for students to see her as a colleague from the profession. She says this is what makes her teaching experience valuable.

“I think that you're going to remember the kindness and the depth of a relationship that you've had with somebody far more than any content that you might teach,” Potenza-Radis said. “But you're also more open to hearing about ideas and content if you do have a rapport with someone.”  

Potenza-Radis taught for 11 years in the public school system in the Aurora City School District. She has been teaching at ������ for more than 14 years. Her teaching style has evolved in those years, but the main aspect she adopted and keeps in her classroom is the sense of partnership. Giving students feedback and decreasing the worry about grades are focal points for Potenza-Radis. She says it is all about professionals from the same area bettering themselves in the field.  

The most successful aspect of her job is to hear back from her students and to keep in touch with them.

“When I receive an email or phone call from a student who has graduated saying ‘thank you’ or just mentioning something I taught them was meaningful,” Potenza-Radis said, “those are the little moments I find the most significant and successful in my career.”

Potenza-Radis also said that she learns from her colleagues at ������, and they make her experience as a teacher better. She also mentioned how Professor Emeritus Timothy Rasinski, Ph.D., and, have been great mentors and supporters throughout her career.  

“I know they’re proud of me and the work I am doing,” Potenza-Radis said. “It’s important to me to have their support and such great people to look up to. As you get older, the things that are most important kind of bubble to the top, and you don't get caught up in the small things as much.”

Becoming a teacher was something that Potenza-Radis always wanted to do. Her great experience as a student developed this interest in her. More precisely, she wanted to be a part of somebody’s reading journey. This required her to be constantly researching and learning since the field is ever-changing.

“Right now, there are a lot of big changes happening, but they're exciting changes,” Potenza-Radis said. “You try to figure out how do you take the best from the past and catapult it into the future.” 

Potenza-Radis and all the Outstanding Teaching Award and Distinguished Teaching Award winners were honored at the University Teaching Council meeting on Oct. 18.