Teaching is a labor of love. Many educators never see the fruits of their labor. From disrespectful students to tensions concerning contracts, teaching is not an easy profession. It takes someone who has been in the profession to understand the plight of teachers, and Dr. Audrey Reynolds understands that plight.
The first Audrey Reynolds Distinguished Teaching Award will be presented at the December 2008 Commencement Ceremony. Audrey Reynolds is a professor emeriti in linguistics to Northeastern Illinois University. The annual award amount is $5,000 and has been instituted as a gift to the university from Reynolds.
NEIU is first and foremost a teacher’s college. Reynolds believes this award will set an example that quality teaching is admired and rewarded. “NEIU is a teaching university and considers good teaching a high priority,” said Reynolds. As a first generation college student, Reynolds attended an undergraduate institution similar to NEIU.
Reynolds began her teaching career at NEIU in September of 1969. The linguistics professor retired from the institution in June 2005. Reynolds gleams about her 30-plus years spent at NEIU. “I loved teaching at NEIU. I loved the diversity,” said Reynolds.
Teachers must be nominated for the Reynolds Award by students, faculty members, administrators or alumni. It should be known, self-nominations are not acceptable for award eligibility. The instructor must be tenured, full-time and have six years or more of teaching experience at NEIU.
Teachers are screened for the award by a committee, which is appointed by the president. Finalists must complete the appropriate steps for final screening. From there, the committee recommends a teacher to the provost. The provost will make a recommendation to the president, and the president will award the teacher. Ten years after winning the award, teachers are eligible to win the award again.