Dr. Jenna Zucker, assistant professor of psychology, is being honored with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville 2022 Early Career Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence. The award recognizes a tenure-track faculty member who has made distinguished contributions to the mission of the university as an outstanding teacher. Zucker joined the Department of Psychology in 2019 and teaches courses focused on development.
“My goal in graduate school was to teach at a teaching-focused institution like UW-Platteville. To achieve that goal and be recognized by my colleagues is such an honor,” said Zucker. “This award continues to push me to develop my skills as a teacher and to take risks within the classroom, knowing that the university and my colleagues support those efforts.”
As Zucker prepares for the upcoming semester, she said her favorite part of teaching is the students and being able to share her passion of psychology. She emphasized the importance of getting to know her students as people.
“I work hard to help students make real world connections to the material and in their own lives. Psychology is so applicable, both in and out of the classroom,” said Zucker. “There is a lot going on in their lives outside of the classroom. Knowing and understanding that informs both the examples I use when teaching and the policies within the classroom. It's easier to learn when you feel a sense of belonging in the classroom.”
Zucker will be recognized at the university’s convocation on Thursday, Sept. 1.
“I have been lucky to have the support of my department to try new things, both in my established courses and in introducing a new course this past spring,” she said. “I want to thank them for their encouragement.”