The last day of class is bittersweet

Being a pathologically genuine autistic empath is a gift in teaching.

The last class of the semester is always bittersweet for me. I can’t help but feel like every student is part of my extended family.

This particular ecology class added another 150 people to my imagined extended family.

The pictured group of students provided so much positive energy for every class.

I learned a few things, and had others reinforced this semester. Here are some:

➡️ It is possible to facilitate student interest in ecology even when they are focused on pre-health.

➡️ It was a great idea to train my dog to be a certified pet therapy dog and have her visit class.

➡️ Telling funny stories or singing a song at the start of a 75 minute class increases student engagement.

➡️ Teaching undergraduate students at a regional, public, minority serving institution is extraordinarily meaningful work- more so than my phases as a research and institutional leader.

➡️Being a pathologically genuine autistic empath is a gift in teaching.

➡️I still have lots of room for improvement as a teacher.

Here is one of many nice comments this semester (not from a student int he picture):

Dear Dr. Coleman,

You’ve been one of the kindest and most supportive professors I have ever had. Your patience, the way you explain concepts, and the genuine care you show for your students made such a big difference in my experience this semester. I always felt comfortable asking questions, and I always felt encouraged to keep learning. That kind of environment is rare, and I appreciate it more than I can express.

Thank you for creating a classroom atmosphere where students feel respected, valued, and inspired. You didn’t just teach us the material; you helped us grow as thinkers and as people. Your passion for the subject and your compassion for your students are something I will always remember. Thank you again for being such an incredible professor….