Marc Vukotich, Hope Weisman, and Bethany Spore
Instructor Marc Vukotich values creating a classroom environment where students feel academically, socially, and personally supported. He aligns his own personal teaching philosophy with the pillars of the University Seminar (UNIV) Series including a focus on academic success, sense of belonging, and personal/professional development for every student in his classroom. In terms of academic success, Marc focuses on helping his students understand the demands of pursuing STEM majors at UMBC while exposing them to resources and helping them navigate challenges and obstacles in a productive way. Marc also helps students find their places in the campus community by sharing his own college experiences to help students realize they are not alone in navigating a new environment. Lastly, Marc values teaching his students valuable life skills that will not only serve them during the first semester on campus but throughout and beyond their college experience. Marc prioritizes being his authentic self in the classroom and this clearly resonates with his students, as they share openly about themselves in return.
Perhaps Marc says it best. “My goal is for every student to leave my class confident in their academic ability and their place at UMBC. As I continue to grow as an educator, I know my students will still see an authentic person who can show them how to succeed, belong, and grow as students at UMBC and beyond.”
Marc Vukotich is an Academic Advisor in the College of Engineering & IT
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Instructor Hope Weisman grounds her teaching philosophy in the ideas that learners take new information and combine it with their previous experiences, shaping who they are in the classroom and beyond. This is particularly helpful as Hope’s focus has been on working with transfer students, who come to UMBC from a wide range of different types of experiences. Recognizing the differences in these learners, and meeting them where they are, has helped Hope be an exceptional instructor with the University Seminar (UNIV) Series. The fact that Hope was a transfer student at UMBC herself and benefited from these courses and experiences during her time as a student on campus adds a unique layer to her instruction in the classroom and makes her extremely relatable to her students. This lens also enables her to tailor the curriculum and experience to the specific and unique needs of each student she works with through the course. Encouraging students to engage in class and creating an environment that feels welcoming and where everyone feels valued and respected are critical elements that Hope brings to her teaching experience.
Perhaps Hope says it best. “With each new experience teaching sections of UNIV, I recognize the importance of adapting to the unique culture of each class. However, I firmly believe that the individual experiences of each student make us a more diverse community, allowing us to learn from one another and empower each other.”
Hope Weisman is a Senior Academic Advocate in the Academic Success Center
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Instructor Bethany Spore focuses her teaching philosophy on guiding students to success by allowing them to determine their own pathway and definitions of what success means to them. She utilizes the learning outcomes for the University Seminar (UNIV) Series as a guide for her instruction, but she tailors the curriculum to the personal needs of each individual student in her sections. Her top priority in the classroom, beyond following the curriculum, is to make sure students know that she is here as a resource for them, and she is invested in their success. She always makes time in class for students to share how they are feeling and what is going on from week to week, both positive and challenging, as they navigate their first semester on campus. Her philosophy is that if one student is struggling and open to sharing about it, other students may feel the same way and students can resonate with and support each other through challenges they experience. Creating space for this dialogue in the classroom is one of the things students enjoy the most about Bethany’s teaching style.
Perhaps Bethany says it best. “Students are not one size fits all and I find in the UNIV course I have the opportunity to get to know these students as individuals and guide them in a way that works best for them. Listening is the most important skill I can use in working with new students and allowing them to transition into successful students who are part of the UMBC community.”
Bethany Spore is a Compliance Manager in the Registrar’s Office
Congratulations to our 2024-2025 recipient