Excellence in Teaching Awards

2000-2001 Award Winners

 

Mark Williams teaches the undergraduate and graduate Cardiac Rehab. courses for the school of HPER. Dr. Williams supervises the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at St. Joseph Hospital. He has been appointed an adjunct faculty member at UNO. He has served on the thesis committees for HPER students and has served as the Certification Director for the ACSM Health Fitness Instructor Certification Exam
administered at UNO for the past 13 years. Dr. Williams writes of his role
as a teacher, "I remain committed to the regular revision of material to
keep students on the professional cutting edge. However, my role as
teacher surpasses this most obvious of purposes to include directing students, introducing students to new concepts, motivating students and instilling confidence in themselves, their training, and their professional choices."

One of his supporters writes, 'The School of HPER has been very fortunate to have Dr. Williams, who is considered a national leading authority in cardiac rehabilitation, teach our Cardiac Rehabilitation class for the last several years. Students have informed me that Dr. Williams is an excellent teacher and they love what they learn in this class. He is highly respected among our students and the Physical Education faculty."

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Karen Povondra is the assistant volleyball coach and an Instructor of Weight Training and Golf for the School of HPER for nine years. Each year she has received outstanding student evaluations. Karen spends time in the classroom making sure her students thoroughly understand the information. She has spent many hours outside of class researching new ideas for her weight training and golf classes. Karen's enthusiasm for the subject matter she teaches motivates her students to enjoy the class.

Karen's philosophy for teaching can be summarized with four powerful words: Preparation, Presentation, Productivity and Passion. Whether she is
teaching in the classroom or on the volleyball court, these four words have been the foundation for her success. One of those nominating Karen said, "Karen genuinely seems to like teaching young people, and doesn't act as if the Weight Lifting Class is something she 'has' to do, but rather something she 'likes' to do." And finally, Rose Shires, the Head Volleyball Coach
had this to say about Karen. "'Karen is an exceptional instructor, one who always goes the extra mile for her students. I believe Karen is very deserving of the Excellence in Teaching Award."

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