Brigid Beaubien came to Eastern Michigan University nearly
20 years ago to learn to become a teacher. It was a case
of perfect timing that allowed her to return to the school
that solidified her call to teach.
"I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but all the incredible
faculty I had that trained me cemented that," said Beaubien. "I
really saw teaching as a critical way of working towards
social justice."
Beaubien said that she had conducted a national job search
to look for a place to teach. She never thought that a
position would open up at EMU, but a former professor contacted
Beaubien to let her know that she would be retiring soon.
Beaubien said the "timing was perfect."
Now, three and a half years after returning to her alma
mater, Beaubien, an assistant professor of teacher education,
was honored for her teaching abilities by receiving the
Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Teaching I Award.
This award is given to faculty who have taught at Eastern
Michigan University for less than five years. Beaubien
received a plaque and a $3,500 honorarium.
"It's an honor because, when I left here with my teaching
degree to teach P (preschool)-12, I never thought the institution
that taught me to be a good teacher would be honoring me
for my teaching skills," said Beaubien.
Beaubien's student evaluations speak for themselves in
terms of the type of teacher she has become, with 97 percent
of students rating her teaching effectiveness as above
or much above average. In addition, 99 percent of her students
indicated that she displays a clear understanding of course
topics, is well-prepared for class and stimulates students'
thinking.
"Dr. Beaubien is the first professor that has actually
challenged my learning and she has made me so excited about
teaching early childhood education. She did this by showing
her enthusiasm through her teaching and the information
that she bestowed upon us," said Sara Amerman, one of four
students who nominated Beaubien.
Beaubien received both her doctorate in curriculum and
instruction, and her master's degree in educational leadership
from Wayne State University. She received her bachelor's
in elementary education from EMU.
Beaubien describes her method of teaching as thinking
about teaching both theoretically and practically. She
strives to make her classes as hands-on as possible.
"I think the more hands-on and relevant you can make it
for the students, the more they are going to retain it," said
Beaubien.
These hands-on learning experiences are created by the
use of workshops. The workshops allow students to learn
in a noncompetitive, community atmosphere.
"It allows students to be engaged. It's not me lecturing
at them. It allows them to move around. I cannot stress
how actively engaged they are," said Beaubien. "Most importantly,
I am able to spend time with each and every student. It
helps me build a relationship with them. It helps me assess
their knowledge and be able to build it."
Beaubien also incorporates technology into her classroom
by using Microsoft PowerPoint, Windows Movie Maker, iTunes,
podcasts and digital cameras. She also uses the Internet
as a way to take "virtual field trips."
"I think it (technology) is really important and it's
a way for future teachers to engage their students," said
Beaubien.
Beaubien also takes learning outside of the classroom.
In the past, she has had students participate in an academic
service-learning project with the Yankee Air Museum. Students
met with Gayle Drews, the head curator, and discussed the
museum's current educational needs. Over the course of
the semester, the students focused on a specific educational
need and developed lesson plans for the museum.
"They were learning not only how to develop lesson plans
and do a community service-learning project, but also (how
to) develop professional consultation skills," said Beaubien.
Beaubien has developed two courses — "Social
Studies and the Young Learner" and "Developing Creative
Early Childhood Professionals" — for the University.
"It was an extremely nontraditional course. There was
no lecture," said Beaubien of the latter. "It helped them
(the students) examine and explore their own creativity,
and explore how to develop creativity in preschool students."
"Social Studies and the Young Learner" is the precursor
for what will hopefully be the integrated social studies
methods course for the elementary education major, said
Beaubien.
"It is her commitment to learning and personal and professional
growth that makes Dr. Brigid Beaubien such a superb teacher.
She is a scholar who has the ability to make research accessible.
She is an untiring teacher, constantly employing new strategies
and technologies to enhance her students' learning," said
Margo Dichtelmiller, an associate professor of early childhood
education, who nominated Beaubien.
"I really want to help my students become the best teachers
they can be. Not just for their students, but for themselves
as professionals," said Beaubien.
