TRICIA-ISMS: LAUGHTER, LEVITY, AND LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM

Patricia H. Kelley began her teaching career in 1979 at the University of Mississippi, where she was the first and only woman on the School of Engineering faculty for 11 years. She later served as the only woman on the School of Engineering faculty at the University of North Dakota for another 5 years. Then, after 19 years at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Tricia retired as Professor Emeritus, having earned numerous accolades for her faculty efforts at the institution. Of the recognition that she has received throughout her career, many awards have emphasized her impact as an educator (i.e., 2003 AWG Outstanding Educator Award, 2012 UNCW Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award, 2013 UNCW Distinguished Teaching Professorship Award, 2013 UNCW Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Award, 2014 UNC Board of Governors Award for Teaching Excellence, and the 2014 CASE/Carnegie United States Outstanding Master's Universities and Colleges Professor of the Year). For over 35 years, Tricia successfully taught and mentored thousands of students in courses ranging from introductory physical geology to graduate paleontology courses. Tricia not only utilized effective approaches that are now widely recognized, such as course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), but she also cultivated teaching moments that helped her students remember course concepts, often making those students laugh in the process. Her fun personality and willingness to take risks in the classroom fostered a positive relationship with her students that uniquely engaged them in the learning process. From her love of movies and celebrities to her use of dance moves that helped students develop an understanding of the behavior of ancient life, what we’re calling “Tricia-isms” in the classroom have since inspired many of her former students to channel that energy and uniqueness in their own teaching. Join us as we share some of these techniques and impactful moments that she imparted to her students. Bring your smartphone and a sense of humor to see how well you know Tricia’s tips and tricks for connecting to learning about the fossil record.