[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 153 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TEACHER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 2, 1999

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate 
Professor Marilyn Repsher, a mathematics teacher at the University of 
Jacksonville, who was awarded the Professor of the year award for 1999. 
Out of 400 competing professorial nominees representing institutions of 
higher learning across the nation, and on behalf of the city of 
Jacksonville, I am proud to commend Professor Repsher of her receipt of 
this award.
  Professor Repsher had been teaching for over a decade when she was 
honored as one of the four national professors of the Year.
  This award, the most prestigious national recognition in college 
teaching, is granted annually by the Carnegie Foundation for the 
Advancement of Teaching, and the Council of Advancement and Support of 
Education.
  Marilyn Repsher began her 30 year teaching career at Jacksonville 
University in 1969. The daughter of a high school math teacher, 
Professor Repsher was honored and indeed, elated, upon the award 
announcement.
  Presently, even though Professor Repsher serves as the Head of the 
mathematics department, she still manages to devote 75% of her time to 
teaching, and interacting directly with students.
  A few years ago Professor Repsher decided to change the way she 
taught math courses. Originating from a desire to teach students in a 
more down-to-earth fashion after listening to student complaints about 
their professors' teaching methods, and the lack of practicality of the 
material being taught, she realized that students were being forced to 
study theoretical concepts in math before studying math's every day 
life applications.
  With her colleagues and this new way of teaching, Dr. Repsher 
completely revolutionized the way in which mathematics is taught at 
Jacksonville University. She now focuses on practical equations in her 
classes first, and then moves on to theory afterwards, but only after 
the students already have a grasp of the practical ways in which this 
material can be applied in concrete situations.
  As an example of her new teaching methods can be seen in her 
introductory Algebra course. In this course, she begins the semester by 
teaching basic algebraic concepts, while at the same time plotting the 
growth of a puppy on a computer screen. In more advanced math classes 
such as calculus, the students use the same technology to create visual 
displays on the data.
  It is for this reason that Dr. Repsher is given credit for being a 
true innovator in utilizing technology in the classrooms of 
Jacksonville University, an idea that is quickly catching on in other 
university departments. In fact, she won two teaching awards at the 
university, both for projects involving the use of computer technology.
  Some of Dr. Repsher's former and current students have described her 
lectures as ``anything but long and arduous,'' while another said: 
``she keeps the class involved and is very focused.''
  I congratulate you, Dr. Repsher, on the receipt of this award, and am 
proud to have such outstanding role models like yourself in my district 
in the great state of Florida.

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