Educator of the Year: Dr. Albert

Dr. Daniel Albert, associate professor and chair of the Chemistry Department at Millersville University, was selected as the 2023-2024 Educator of the Year. This prestigious award, presented by the University, recognizes faculty members who exemplify excellence in teaching, advising and mentorship.

Albert was honored during the University's commencement ceremony last May and again at a faculty celebration during the fall semester. His dedication to student success and creative teaching approaches have made a significant impact on countless students.

There are three categories a professor must be proficient in to be considered for the Educator of the Year award: behavioral/actions, disposition and influence.

Albert believes that the qualities of a good teacher extend beyond subject matter expertise. "Being reflective and patient are some of the key elements to being a good teacher," he said. "Sometimes I feel like I designed a really great class where students are engaged with material, but then I poll the class with a related question and less than 50% of students get the question right. Patience is key because you want students to understand concepts right away but that's not really the way meaningful learning works. Reflection is critical because now you need to talk with your students and ask questions to better understand why they don't understand the concept and then take that information to try to do better the next time."

To motivate and inspire his students, Albert focuses on building strong relationships. "Getting to know students as people and allowing them to understand who I am as a person is important in motivating and inspiring students," he shared. "By getting to know students you get to understand their goals and if they don't know what their goals are you can help guide them to different possible outcomes. Ultimately, the motivation and inspiration must come from students but as a teacher, you can help them see possibilities that they might not have considered and connect them to opportunities that allow them to grow."

When asked about the significance of receiving the Educator of the Year award, Albert expressed his gratitude and humility. "It is a great honor to win this award," he said. "There are so many talented and inspiring educators on the faculty at Millersville. Most of what I have accomplished as an educator has been achieved through collaborations and in working groups with other faculty. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about teaching and mentorship with them so we can work together to improve the student experience. I'm thankful to be considered amongst the wonderful people that are my colleagues."

Nominations for the 2024-2025 Educator of the Year award are now being accepted. Faculty members who exemplify the criteria outlined above are encouraged to apply. Nominations need to be completed by March 21, 2025.