Thousands of dollars and national recognition became a reality for Nancy Fichtman Dana on Thursday.
Dana, a UF education professor, was announced as one of three finalists for Baylor University’s 2020 Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching, which recognizes teaching excellence in undergraduate education.
Dana is the first professor from UF’s College of Education to be a finalist for this award, said Ester de Jong, the director of the School of Teaching and Learning. If she wins, Dana will teach in residence at Baylor University throughout the Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 semester.
“It’s such a wonderful recognition for the work that she does, and it’s such a good match,” de Jong said. “I’m delighted for her.”
Finalists receive $15,000, and the School of Teaching and Learning at UF will also receive $10,000 to fund additional resources and research, Dana said. The ultimate winner will receive $250,000 and their home institution’s corresponding department will receive $25,000.
“I was incredibly humbled and honored,” she said. “It’s an exciting opportunity to have a platform to talk about teaching and for me, that’s something I’ve devoted my career and life to.”
In October, Dana will travel to Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Finalists will participate in several days of lectures, classes and interviews, which will determine the ultimate winner in Spring 2020, she said. This includes a public talk given on each finalists’ respective discipline.
In 2003, Dana began to work as a faculty member for the College of Education, she said.
For the past 16 years at UF, Dana published more than 10 books about teacher inquiry, a field where teachers study and adapt their own methods of communicating the material to students. She plans to use her prize money to further her research.
Elizabeth Currin wrote a letter in support of Dana’s nomination. Currin was Dana’s student, teaching assistant and advisee.
Currin said she has known Dana as both a great educator and a friend.
“I want other people to see what I see and know what I know about her,” she said. “It’s very affirming to know that beyond UF, she’s getting that recognition she deserves.”
UF Education Professor, Nancy Fichtman Dana, was announced as one of three finalists for the nationally-recognized Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching.
