Dr. Marcia Firmani Receives the Morton A. Bender Teaching Award

Dr. Marcia Firmani posing for a portrait in a laboratory

Congratulations to Marcia Firmani, Ph.D., director of the Program in Medical Laboratory Sciences and assistant professor of clinical research and leadership at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, who received a 2016 Bender Teaching Award.

The Bender Teaching Awards, endowed by Morton A. Bender and GW, recognize undergraduate, graduate, and professional teaching. Recipients, who receive $1,000 to be used for professional development, are selected by a committee of faculty and students based upon demonstrated excellence in:

  • Use of pedagogically sound teaching practice.

  • Setting of high academic standards and expectations for student achievement as evidenced by the assignment of challenging, relevant homework and rigorous examinations.

  • Use of teaching techniques, tools, or resources worthy of attention by other faculty.

  • A high level of involvement and intellectual excitement by students as measured by student testimony and feedback.

  • Strong commitment to student learning as evidenced by adapting instruction to student strengths, needs, and differences, and by regular availability to students outside the classroom (e.g., office hours and email, telephone, and Skype-like connections) or by frequent, organized online discussion.

  • Use of assessment evidence to guide instructional improvement.

  • Engagement in the scholarship of teaching and learning, or other activities that help colleagues improve their own teaching.

Firmani was honored at the Sixth Annual Faculty Honors Ceremony on April 10 for her dedication, research, and service to the University.

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