What happens in the classroom is important, but it is the experience of mentoring undergraduates in research outside of the classroom that has been most rewarding for Dr. Teddi Deka, professor of psychology and honors program director at 含羞草社区.
鈥淭hrough the psychology department鈥檚 research team class, as well as sponsoring majors鈥� honor projects, I have had the opportunity to assist and witness the value of applied learning,鈥� Dr. Deka said. 鈥淪tudents really begin to understand the scientific method and data analyses when they are engaged in their own projects and present their research at conferences.鈥�
Dr. Deka is Missouri Western鈥檚 recipient of the 2015 Governor鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Education.
鈥淒r. Teddi Deka is an excellent teacher who cares deeply about the success of students,鈥� said Dr. Jeanne Daffron, provost and vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淪tudents often comment on her passion for teaching and learning, her innovation and her dedication to their education. Dr. Deka is a master in the use of applied learning to further the development of students鈥� knowledge.鈥�
In addition to undergraduate research, Dr. Deka says community service creates applied learning opportunities for students. For example, students in child development classes engage in eight-week mentorship programs through the Healthy Buddy program that pairs the college students with an elementary school student who has behavioral or emotional difficulties.
鈥淪tudents work one-on-one with children and apply what they are learning in class,鈥� Dr. Deka said. 鈥淢any students have never worked with children and these opportunities make the course come alive for them.鈥�
Dr. Deka has worked with Hosea Elementary, Pickett Elementary, the Noyes Home for Children, Building Bridges and the YWCA to provide mentorship opportunities for child development students. She provides similar programs for adult psychology classes through Kendalwood Hospice, the Alzheimer鈥檚 Association and Faith in Action.
Dr. Deka received bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in psychology from The Ohio State University. She has taught at Missouri Western for 18 years.
Dr. Deka and other Governor鈥檚 Award recipients from Missouri鈥檚 public colleges and universities will be honored at a luncheon with Gov. Jay Nixon on April 7 in Jefferson City. She will be accompanied by Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western鈥檚 president; Dr. Daffron; and Ann Pearce, special assistant to the president.
含羞草社区 is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .