Gordon Wins Physics Teaching Award

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) graduate student Brad Gordon, advised by ChBE professor and chair Sheryl Ehrman, received the Department of Physics' Runner-Up Ralph D. Myers Teaching Assistant Award In Recognition of Outstanding Teaching Performance. Gordon has served as a TA for physics professor Joe Redish's PHYS 121 and 122 courses for the past three semesters.

Gordon says Redish has been a positive influence on his instruction style. "I definitely take an alternative approach to teaching based on what I've learned from teaching with him," he says. "He's one of the best teachers I've ever known and really makes learning fun. One of the lessons I've learned from Joe is to really try to get the students to think—not just about the subject matter, but also about life—and to question everything.

"The most important thing I've learned over the years," he adds, "is that you're the best teacher you'll ever have. With that in mind, getting the students to think is great, but if you can get them to think about how they think—well, that's even better."

Published April 12, 2011