This week, we are featuring Julie Strachota, Assistant Professor of Health Programs in Large Animal Clinical Sciences, within the College of Veterinary Medicine at MSU. Julie was recognized via iteach.msu.edu's Thank and Educator Initiative! We encourage MSU community members to nominate high-impact Spartan educators (via our Thank an Educator initiative) regularly!
Read more about Julie’s perspectives below. #iteachmsu's questions are bolded below, followed by their responses!
You were recognized via the Thank an Educator Initiative. In one word, what does being an educator mean to you?
Passion
What does this word/quality looks like in your practice? Have your ideas on this changed over time? If so how?
I believe that being an educator requires passion for those that you are educating. I strive to be empathetic while creating excitement and enthusiasm within the classroom and/or clinic. Educators are constantly learning as well in order to keep up-to-date on the cutting edge material in their topic of specialization.
Tell us more about your educational “setting.” This can include, but not limited to departmental affiliations, community connections, co-instructors, and students. (AKA, where do you work?)
I am an assistant professor within the Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department at the College of Veterinary Medicine. I am also the Director of Clinical Education for the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). I have the pleasure of working with veterinary students and veterinary nursing students throughout their 4 years at the CVM.
I am a boarded theriogenologist and teach animal reproduction and equine primary care topics within the CVM curriculum. On the clinic floor, I run the large animal theriogenology service within the Veterinary Medical Center at MSU. I also moderate two clinical clerkships for equine-focused students in equine primary care and equine theriogenology.
What is a challenge you experience in your educator role? Any particular “solutions” or “best practices” you’ve found that help you support student success at the university despite/in the face of this?
One challenge that I experience is getting students excited to learn about the topic that I am teaching. My solution for this is to make the classroom fun and exciting. I try to teach clinically applicable topics and give examples of how students will see this topic in clinical practice.
What are practices you utilize that help you feel successful as an educator?
I try to continually improve the student experience within the classroom by adding hands-on experiences and clinically applicable topics.
I truly care about the students and want them to succeed. When I am teaching, I am 100% focused on those students and the task at hand. I let all other stresses or obstacles pause during my time in the classroom.
I am passionate about the topics that I teach which helps me be successful as an educator. If you love what you do and what you teach, it is easy to go to work everyday and share that passion. .
What are you looking forward to (or excited to be a part of) next semester?
I am excited for my new role as Director of Clinical Education. I hope to make a positive impact on veterinary and veterinary nursing students by continuing to improve clinical opportunities. I am excited to continue to teach veterinary students at different points throughout their journey in veterinary education. I hope that I am a role model for veterinary students both in the classroom and on the clinic floor.
Don't forget to celebrate individuals you see making a difference in teaching, learning, or student success at MSU with #iteachmsu's Thank an Educator initiative. You might just see them appear in the next feature!
