Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
The University of Maine has selected
Travis J. Gould
for its
2007 Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
Travis started as a teaching assistant in the Department of Physics and Astronomy five years ago, teaching many laboratory and recitation sections in PHY 121/122, Physics for Engineers and Physical Scientists I and II since then. A couple of years ago, he completed his Masters in Physics, then spent a year in Chicago as a Health Physics Consultant for Stan A. Huber Consultants, Inc., and has returned to complete his Ph.D. He has been working with Dr. Sam Hess on a dissertation project involving "Fluorescence Microscopy of Quantum Dots and Intracellular Membrane Organization."
He is an excellent teacher by all measures. His student evaluations are among the highest in our department. He knows the course material thoroughly and is able to communicate what he knows to others. When he grades students' work, he puts extensive comments to guide them, and uses his classroom time to address their misconceptions and areas of difficulty. He is intent on having each student in his section succeed in learning physics. Travis' students regard him so highly that they seek out sections that he will be teaching. In the words of some of his students:
"Travis was very helpful, he clearly explained theories, equations, and problems. He was very willing to clear problems up and answer questions. Overall, a very good recitation leader."
"Instilled respect, yet was friendly and willing to help, even after class and not during office hours."
"Travis is a great TA. He is fair, and very approachable. He knows what the important things you should gain from the labs are, and focused on that, making the labs easier to understand."
"Very helpful showing step-by-step progression of problems in workshop. Really knowledgeable about the subject matter and very determined to help every student get the best grade they can get."
All indicate the truly unusual talent that Travis has as a teacher. Travis has played a significant role in providing high quality instruction in our introductory physics courses for Engineering students. In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments, the College of Engineering is pleased to present the 2007 Graduate Teaching Assistant Award to Travis Gould.
Presented this day, November 2, 2007
______________________
Dana N. Humphrey, Dean
