Distinguished Faculty: Lewis-White finds ways to expand her teaching

Linda Lewis-White, whose students can all quote her mantra "Good teaching is Good Teaching is GOOD TEACHING," is being recognized for her "good teaching."

Lewis-White, professor of teacher education, is the 2007 recipient of the Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Teaching II Award, given to faculty with five or more years of teaching at EMU. She received a plaque and a $3,500 honorarium.

TEACHING CROWN: Linda Lewis-White, professor of teacher education, was the recent recipient of the Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Teaching II Award, given to faculty with five or more years of teaching at EMU.

"I was shocked. I had been told that rarely do people win the first time their nomination is submitted," said Lewis-White. "I had no expectations. I was just pleased to be nominated."

Lewis-White submitted an impressive nomination portfolio, including numerous, unsolicited thank-you notes handwritten by former students.

"It was really fulfilling to create the portfolio," said Lewis-White. "It represented 31 years of teaching. I felt that, even if I didn't win, the portfolio was my award."

Lewis-White began her teaching career as a bilingual educator, teaching Spanish-speaking students in Texas. Though she received her bachelor's degree in home economics, she changed her focus after being invited to a master's program in bilingual/bicultural studies at California State University.

"There was a great need for bilingual educators," said Lewis-White. "A colleague once said that regular teachers are a dime a dozen, but bilingual teachers are a dollar a dozen."

After receiving her doctorate, Lewis-White made the move to teaching at the university level. She currently teaches both undergraduate and graduate reading courses for elementary education majors and minors.

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