Teaching excellence: Brian Hogan
Teaching assistant professor of Chemistry Brian Hogan provides his students with a space to be inspired, showing them that there are always multiple ways to approach a question.
Brian Hogan, a teaching assistant professor of chemistry, was a recipient of the 2018 Tanner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Presented each year, the award recognizes excellence in inspirational teaching of undergraduate students, particularly first- and second-year students.
The Boonton, New Jersey native told us about his teaching experiences.
Who was the best teacher you ever had and why?
Dr. William S. Klug was the best professor I ever had because he was the first person to engage a class in data analysis and hypothesis-driven inquiry. He showed me there was not always a single right answer; rather, understanding biochemical problems took trial and error.
Describe an “Aha!” moment you had when learning how to teach students.
My wife, Kelly, asked me, “How do you know your students ‘get it’ if you only tell them by lecturing and then never ask them their opinion?” I immediately realized that the way I had been speaking at my students for eight-plus years was not challenging them to think like scientists, and I learned that I needed to include inquiry-based learning in all my courses.
Describe a time when you learned something from a student.
A student once told me, “Failure is relative, students are much more than their GPA, and C’s get degrees.” I found this very profound because it made me realize that my job as an educator is not only the dissemination of knowledge, but, more importantly, is to help students achieve their definition of personal and academic success.
What is something your students would be surprised to learn about you?
I received solid C’s in first-year general chemistry, after failing the midterms in both classes, but managed to pass only after finding help. Now I have a Ph.D. in chemistry!
