Gaehle Named SIUE Teaching Excellence Award Winner

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office of the Provost today announced that Kay Gaehle, Ph.D., is the recipient of the annual Teaching Excellence Award for tenure-track faculty. Gaehle is an associate professor in the Department of Primary Care and Health Systems in the School of Nursing. It is the most prestigious teaching award that a faculty member can receive at SIUE.

Gaehle received a $2,000 prize as part of the award. She will be recognized during SIUE’s May commencement ceremony. She will be nominated for the Advancement and Support of Education National Professor of the Year Award.

“It is an honor to receive this teaching award,” Gaehle said. “My favorite part of the day is being in the classroom with students.”

Chair of the Teaching Excellence Awards committee Donna Jewell, Ph.D., an assistant professor of nursing, cited Gaehle’s dynamic classroom leadership. The committee noted Gaehle’s respectful approach with her students while artfully integrating a variety of teaching strategies. With her depth of knowledge, she helps students become critical thinkers capable of tackling the most difficult questions. The committee also complimented Gaehle’s successful synthesis of teaching and scholarship, making a significant contribution to pedagogy as evidenced by her scholarly work, intense student mentoring and participation in curriculum development.

Gaehle earned her bachelor’s in nursing from Elmhurst College (Ill.) in 1979. She achieved both her master’s and doctorate in nursing from Saint Louis University in 1985 and 2004, respectively. She started as a term faculty at SIUE in August of 1999 and received the Teaching Recognition Award for term faculty in 2003. After completing her doctorate in 2004, she moved into a tenure track position.

Jocelyn DeGroot, Ph.D., is the recipient of the Teaching Distinction Award for tenure-track faculty. She is an assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Speech Communication and has been with the department since August 2009. She received a $500 prize.

The committee pointed to students’ appreciation for DeGroot’s enthusiasm, approachability, humor and the ability to illustrate course content. Colleagues are impressed with her multiple teaching techniques. DeGroot is involved in mentoring students and actively participates in curriculum development.

DeGroot earned both a bachelor’s and master’s in communication studies from South Dakota State University in 2004 and 2006, respectively.  She achieved a Ph.D. in communication studies from Ohio University in 2009. She teaches a variety of communication courses, including computer-mediated communication, nonverbal communication, small group communication and communication theory. She also is the graduate program director for the department.

School of Pharmacy Clinical Associate Professor Keith Hecht, PharmD., received the Teaching Distinction Award for non-tenure track faculty for his work in the Department of Pharmacy Practice.  It also carried a $500 prize.

The committee acknowledged Hecht’s deep knowledge of oncology pharmacy and his ability to break complex concepts into clear, simple explanations. He stands out for his thoughtfulness and learner-centered educational approach while also serving as an excellent role mentor and role model. Students appreciate his enthusiasm, approachability and the use of real world examples to illustrate course content.

Prior to joining SIUE in 2008, Hecht served as an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Roseman University, formerly known as the University of Southern Nevada College of Pharmacy. He earned both his bachelor’s and doctorate from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Subsequently, he completed a pharmacy practice residency and an oncology specialty residency at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center. He became a board certified oncology pharmacy specialist in 2004.  In addition, Hecht also provides clinical services in inpatient oncology at St. Johns Mercy Medical Center.

Dr. Kay Gaehle

Dr. Jocelyn DeGroot

Dr. Keith Hecht