Among the Best

UT Tyler Faculty Recognized for Outstanding Teaching in UT System

Congratulations to Jessica Coleman and Ericka Robinson-Freeman, who were recognized by the UT System Board of Regents for excellent contributions to undergraduate student success and earned a 2020 UT System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. Learn more about each faculty member and why they enjoy teaching.

Jessica L. Coleman, M.S.

Lecturer and GTA coordinator

Department of Biology

Jessica Coleman serves as a lecturer in the UT Tyler Department of Biology, where she has dedicated 15 years of teaching undergraduate students. Her journey into academia began in graduate school as a teaching assistant (2004–06). Shortly after graduating with her Master of Science degree, she was hired as an adjunct in the biology department to teach a few courses (including general biology and anatomy and physiology labs). In 2008, Coleman was hired full time as a lecturer and the coordinator of graduate teaching assistants, and in this role, she helps young biologists to become effective educators early in their academic careers.

What is your educational background? 

Associate of Science, Kilgore College

Bachelor of Science, UT Tyler

Master of Science, UT Tyler

What are your educational/research interests?

I have a wide range of interests. My primary research, when I am able, focuses on the ecology freshwater turtles, but I have also been involved in several other projects. I have been involved in many other ecological studies, including but not limited to: plant surveys, mammal surveys, bird surveys, and other reptile and amphibian projects over the last 15 years. I have also done some work looking at the use of technology in the classroom and how it can be effective or not effective in teaching the course content.   

As far as teaching, I teach General Biology I and II every year, which is a freshman-level course. Every other year, I teach two upper-division courses for the department: Ornithology, which is the study of birds, and Conservation Biology. 

Why do you enjoy teaching?

Teaching for me is first and foremost about the students. I love interacting with undergraduates and playing an active role during their academic endeavors. Student Success is paramount to my role as an instructor. I am committed to making sure that I provide a unique student experience that will ultimately help them land their dream career at the end of the journey as a UT Tyler student. When my students succeed, I know I have succeeded in guiding them and educating them to prepare them for a career in science or other disciplines. To have just one student tell me after class that they switched degrees, or I have inspired a career choice because of how the class was taught makes the work I have put into the course all worth it.

Why do you enjoy working at UT Tyler?

UT Tyler is where I started myself during my own academic journey, and the faculty helped shape the way I think and work. During my time as a student, I was challenged to think critically and find answers to questions using the skills I learned. Now that I am a faculty, it’s the same. I am challenged to think critically and adjust to constantly changing times. The biology department and our college are an amazing group of individuals to work with and learn from on many different levels. It is an honor to work among such an amazing group of researchers and educators all across campus. Most importantly, we have some pretty amazing students! It is these students and my interactions with them that make even my most hectic days enjoyable.

What does this honor mean to you?

It is such a great honor to be awarded The Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. There are many faculty members worthy of such a prestigious award and to be considered one is a mark of distinction during my tenure here at UT Tyler. To be recognized for my dedication and passion for the education undergraduates at UT Tyler means the countless hours I have invested in the education of our students truly means something. I am truly blessed to part of the ROTA winners family for our demonstration of extraordinary classroom performance.

Learn more about Coleman.

 

Ericka Robinson-Freeman, LCSW

Associate Professor in Practice

Department of Social Work

Ericka Robinson-Freeman is an associate professor in practice and serves as one of the two pioneering faculty members who will help build the University’s Bachelor of Social Work program. In academia for 10 years, Robinson-Freeman is tasked with developing the curriculum, program accreditation, marketing and advising prospective students, among her teaching duties.

You arrived from another UT institution. . .Aside from the new program, what drew you to UT Tyler?

While I was nominated for the ROTA by another UT institution, it was the rigor of the nomination process that helped me refine and refocus. I discovered the next step in my educational professional journey was to help create a new social work program in a thriving and supportive educational community—UT Tyler.

Tyler is truly my home. Two years ago, I was fortunate enough, after both my daughters entered college, to be able to relocate back to East Texas. I knew one day UT Tyler would establish a social work program, and I could become a more active member of the Tyler community. Much to my amazement and surprise, I read that the College of Arts and Sciences was starting a BSW program and needed faculty to help develop and run the program. I wanted to start focusing on developing new opportunities for students and faculty in social work.

Rural communities are often hungry for resources and greatly underserved by helping professionals. Now that UT Tyler will offer a BSW degree, we can equip students to enter the social work profession and, hopefully, stay in the Tyler/East Texas area to serve individuals, children and families with competency and professionalism. I am excited to be here and can’t wait to see this program bloom.

What is your educational background? 

Master of Science in Social Work, UT Arlington

Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism), UT Arlington

What are your educational/research interests?

Child Welfare (Providing support, research and advocacy efforts to both the clients served and the social workers who serve them.)

Social Work with Children and Families

Trauma-Informed Therapy with Children and Families

Regarding courses, my favorites to teach are foundational courses and direct practice courses (e.g., counseling children, child maltreatment, social work with families).

Why do you enjoy teaching?

I have always enjoyed educating and supporting others. I served as an agency field instructor during my time at Child Protective Services. It was here I realized the importance of keeping social workers inspired, educated and equipped. I enjoyed mentoring the field students and making community presentations to stakeholders to advocate for child welfare.

I approach teaching students as I would approach a social work-client relationship—establishing rapport and engaging each individual on his/her own level, so that they know I have a vested interest in his/her success. Passing the baton to the next generation of change agents is my passion!

What do you like about UT Tyler?

UT Tyler is a smaller campus with a beautiful presence and a student-centered mindset. It is refreshing to see a campus that offers so many services and resources to students who are both on campus and off campus. In addition, faculty seem very supported in their efforts. The energy from the faculty and administration in the College of Arts and Sciences is contagious!

What does this honor mean to you?

I was extremely honored and surprised. Not many social work professors are honored with this award, so I was especially proud for not only myself, but my profession. Being recognized by the Board of Regents as an outstanding teacher empowers and encourages me to continue educating future generations in innovative ways. There is always more to learn!

Learn more about Freeman.

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