Dr. Kelly S. Johnson, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, received the 2018-19 Jeanette G. Grasselli Brown Faculty Teaching Award in the Natural Sciences from the College of Arts & Sciences.
The award recognizes Johnson’s superior classroom performance teaching Field Entomology and Aquatic Biology, her commitment to teaching upper level courses and graduate students in Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies, and her excellence in involvement with students beyond the classroom.
Johnson’s current research, which focuses on responses of aquatic organisms to environmental stressors related to acid mine drainage in local streams, engages students to learn about the local environment. Recently, she was named American Electric Power Watershed Research and Reclamation Professor in the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs for her work extensive work at over 70 long-term biological monitoring sites in eastern Ohio.
Johnson’s efforts at training graduate students and undergraduates to collect data and perform field studies provides students with hands-on learning opportunities off campus. Previously, Johnson had another role as the biologist on the interdisciplinary team project called Boat of Knowledge (BooKS) (2010-17) that involved local high school teachers with scientists and graduate students on campus to develop lesson plans and explore the use of technology to engage K-12 students in STEM along the Ohio River.
Although a highlight of the teaching award was Johnson’s efforts to provide opportunities for students and the local community to engage in STEM outside of the classroom, her classroom lecturing excellence was recognized as well by her colleagues and students.
“Kelly is an enthusiastic, experienced, knowledgeable and outstanding teacher of physiology. Her lecture style is engaging and exciting and she uses multiple modalities to illustrate and teach difficult concepts. She has a particular ease when working with students when she delivers the lecture material that encourages students to become active learners and participate in classroom activities. Kelly is well deserving of recognition as an outstanding teacher,” said Dr. Robert Colvin, Professor and Chair of Biological Sciences.
Johnson was recognized for her achievement at the College of Arts & Sciences Faculty and Staff Fall Gala Sept. 10, 2019.
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