Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 2, 1993 TAG: 9304020418
SECTION: FOUNDERS DAY PAGE: FD-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
TEACHING EARNS BIRCH WINE AWARD
At the ends of each class period, Jeffrey Birch writes a few lines in his teaching diary - topics covered, techniques that went well and those that didn't, and a rating (1-10) of how well he thought he did. When he teaches that course again in a year or two, he may not remember how things went, but he can consult his diary and improve any problem areas.To hear students and other professors tell it, problem areas are rare. For that reason, the statistics department nominated Birch for the Alumni Association's W.E. Wine Award, which recognizes "extraordinary contributions to teaching excellence and strong dedication to the students of this university."
Those who contributed to the nomination talked about Birch's exceptional, incredibly organized classroom presentations. He never uses notes, memorizes his lectures, and presents a polished discussion of the subject in an enthusiastic, clear, and interesting way, they said. They pointed out his outstanding ratings by students and peers, his availability to and consideration for students, and the work he puts into packets of extra information for the students.
"The main thing that makes a good teacher," Birch said when asked his philosophy of teaching, "is to really like your subject, and I love statistics. It's a way of life for me."
Also, he said, a teacher must have empathy for the students and identify with the things they find difficult. "I work hard to anticipate the problems and have an example or explanation so that the students are not disturbed by the hard parts when we get to them," he said.
Anonymous student evaluations consistently place Birch in the exceptional category for both graduate and undergraduate teaching. The words "excellent" and "the best" appear frequently. One student summed it up: "The class was by far the most challenging one I've had, but through the challenge I have learned more than I ever had in any other class."
A former student, now an assistant professor, wrote, "I have attempted to incorporate some of Dr. Birch's classroom techniques in my own teaching, particularly his enthusiasm for what he teaches and his preparation and organization for class." That same person ranked Birch "at the top of all teachers I have had, including four years at Virginia Tech and four years of graduate school at Penn State."
All this praise explains Birch's long record of teaching awards. He won the first Alumni Award for Teaching Excellence in 1982 and has earned the Certificate of Teaching Excellence four times. He was elected to the Academy of Teaching Excellence in 1982 and is a member of Mu Sigma Rho.
Birch also conducts research and publishes extensively in his field. He also has directed five dissertations and served on 120 doctoral and master committees as well as numerous departmental, college and university committees.