Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

05/12/2026

“Sometimes we feel like we’re just talking into the void.”💭

Dr. Bennington shares how Thank a Teacher gives students the chance to to express themselves in a genuine way without feeling awkward or embarrassed. Through a simple note, students can share what mattered to them, reflect on their experiences, and remind educators of the impact they make every day. ❤️

Take a moment to thank a teacher who made a difference in your journey at Virginia Tech!

05/08/2026

For Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re celebrating the impact faculty make every day through Thank a Teacher 💛🦃

Anubhab Gupta of the Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics shares what receiving Thank a Teacher notes from students has meant to him throughout his years teaching at Virginia Tech.

Submit your note through this link 👇
https://teaching.vt.edu/thank-a-teacher.html

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

🥳🥳🥳

Michael Hochella '75, M.S. '77, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus has been elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

He is among 120 members and 25 international members newly recognized for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.

🔗: go.vt.edu/uoQDC

05/06/2026

Congratulations to Emeritus Professor and double Hokie (BS ‘75, MS ‘77) Dr. Mike Hochella, who was recently voted into the National Academy of Science! Mike was one of 120 U.S. scientists voted into the Academy last week, and joins the department’s existing three members (Bob Bodnar, Trish Dove, and Shuhai Xiao). VT Geosciences is one of only a dozen geoscience departments in the U.S. with at least four faculty members in the Academy. Congratulations, Mike!

Article in the comments!

05/05/2026

It’s teacher appreciation week…

Show your appreciation by submitting a Thank a Teacher note! 🍎

👉 https://teaching.vt.edu/thank-a-teacher.html

05/02/2026

Celebrating excellence in teaching 👏

Dr. Jennifer L. Cleveland is shaping the next generation of physicians through passion, innovation, and a deep commitment to student success. From fostering collaboration to encouraging self-directed learning, her impact goes far beyond the classroom.

Her advice for new educators says it all:

“Teaching is a journey and it takes time to develop your own style and voice in the classroom. Not everything you try will work perfectly the first time and that’s okay. Seek feedback from students and colleagues, use it to make small improvements, and keep going. Most importantly, enjoy teaching and take a moment to recognize that your work is making a difference.”

05/01/2026

Congratulations to Brett Jones and Margaret Ellis!

Well derserved!👏🏆

04/29/2026

“I’m very, very grateful to this program because it’s really gratifying to know that I’ve been able to influence somebody, no matter how small. I’ve gotten notes ranging all the way from, ‘I’ve learned a lot in your class, thank you,’ to, ‘Your model of kindness makes me wish I could be like you. Thank you for being such a great teacher.’ Nothing else in the world is able to capture that.”

-Prahalada Rao, Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering

Every semester, Hokies use the Thank-a-Teacher program to share heartfelt appreciation with the instructors who’ve shaped their learning experience. 📚💛

For faculty, these messages aren’t just notes — they’re reminders that their support, patience, and passion truly resonate. Many say receiving a Thank-a-Teacher message is one of the brightest moments of their semester.

Make your professor’s day ✨

👉 Submit a Thank-a-Teacher note through the link in our bio!