EHE News
Hite, Fields receive Ohio State's highest faculty honor
The addition of two College of Education and Human Ecology faculty members to the roll of Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching brings the college's tally to 56 honorees since Ohio State established its top honor for faculty in 1959. Robert Hite and Sarah Fields were notified spring quarter that they received a 2010 award. They will be inducted into the university's Academy of Teaching on May 4.
Robert Hite, associate professor emeritus of educational policy and leadership
Robert Hite
President Gordon Gee and Alumni Association President Archie Griffin surprised Hite with his honor on April 7 while he was meeting with a doctoral candidate in Ramseyer Hall. He was applauded for his contributions to the college's general teacher education program, in which he prepares future faculty for education colleges.
He brings his experience as a math teacher, principal, district superintendent and university faculty member to each class.
"Dr. Hite has created many impressive and truly innovative teaching materials," a nominator said. They include a "passport" that records each student's mastery of topics. Another is an assignment to envision original teacher education programs. One student, who later became a faculty member at a liberal arts college, received a $500,000 federal grant, using his assignment as the basis for the application.
Many students praised his personal attention. He greeted each with a handshake on the first day of class, was willing to take extra time in explaining concepts, and even arranged special learning experiences based on individual interests.
A doctoral student said, "More than any other professor I experienced, Dr. Hite modeled what he was teaching."
Sarah Fields, associate professor of physical activity and educational services
Sarah Fields
It was fitting that one of Ohio State's iconic athletes, Archie Griffin, paid a surprise visit to Fields' graduate seminar on April 16 in the PAES Building. Along with Provost Joseph Alutto, he praised her ability to illuminate all aspects of sport in American culture.
Her undergraduate and graduate courses explore topics such as legal issues and sports history. She also was instrumental in developing a graduate-level, universitywide program in sexuality studies and designed an undergraduate course in sport and sexuality.
A student said, "Her proficiency and command of a variety of topic areas is a testament to her intelligence as well as her dedication to the students in the Sport Leadership and Sport Humanities majors."
She has constantly moved her technique to the next level through university workshops and PAES Instructional Enhancement sessions. A nominator said she is uses a wide variety of methods, including lectures, discussions, individual and group case studies, guest speakers and other classroom activities. And she continues to consult with her colleagues about making her classes even better.
One nominator was most succinct, saying, "She's authentic."
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