Two Science Instructors Receive QEP Recognition

Science instructors Ashley Curtis and Stephen Beck are this fall semester’s winners of the QEP faculty prize drawing. Both were awarded $25 cash from the RCC Foundation in support of the College’s Quality Enhancement Plan Speaking to Convey, Writing to Display.

The Foundation also provided $10 lunch vouchers for the food truck for five winning ACA students. Student winners are Courtney Cole, Gabrielle Taunton, Tamara Lowe and Hannah Craven.

Ashley Curtis

Curtis teaches a lab for Biology 111 and 112. She has been an instructor at RichmondCC since August 2012. Curtis explains how she incorporated the QEP into her classroom and how her students responded:

“We have our students choose a biology topic that intrigues them, write a one-page essay, and give an oral presentation on the chosen topic. I have received good feedback to this project. I believe the students know (or now know) the importance of being able to communicate effectively in their chosen career path. All students are different. Some can communicate through writing very well, but struggle talking in front of a group of people. Some are vice versa, and others can speak and write very well. In all cases, I let my students know that a skill can always be improved and that ‘practice makes perfect.’”

Curtis said oral and written communication is a skill that allows us to connect with others — whether it’s personal or professional.

“Without being able to form a connection, it will ultimately make goals and aspirations much harder to achieve. Therefore, it is vital for success in whatever pathway our students at Richmond Community College take,” Curtis said.

Stephen Beck

Beck is an instructor for General Biology I and II, as well as Anatomy and Physiology I and II. He began teaching at RichmondCC three years ago, but he’s been a teacher for a total of five years. Beck explains how he incorporated the QEP into his classroom and how his students responded:

“I assign a short research and opinion paper on a controversial science topic chosen by each student. Students then do a short presentation in class based on the same topic. Some dread the presentation, but they all have done very well at it, which I think boosts their self-confidence. Both the written and oral assignments are opportunities to practice and demonstrate their communication skills in the context of the science. Students of nursing and other clinical fields especially realize the importance of effective communication in their chosen professions. Overall, most students seem to appreciate the benefits from the QEP.”

Beck said communication skills are as important as other job skills and are expected of educated individuals like college graduates.

“First impressions often depend on how well we articulate, spell, punctuate and organize our thoughts more than on the information being conveyed,” he said.