University Of Maryland Eastern Shore News April 13, 2012 Physical therapy professor named UMES' top educator for 2011-12 Dr. Michael C. Rabel, an assistant professor of physical therapy, is the inaugural winner of a newly created teaching award at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Rabel received the Excellence in Teaching Award during the 2012 Honors Convocation earlier this month. Dr. Charles Williams, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the deans of UMES' four schools developed the criteria for the honor that recognizes, rewards and promotes excellence in teaching as well as advocacy for the profession. Plans call for the award to be presented annually to a full-time faculty member nominated by peers and students. The winner receives funding to attend a national conference of his or her choice. Nominees must be a UMES faculty member a minimum of three years. In addition to demonstrating excellence in the classroom "over a sustained period of time," the selection committee also takes into account nominees' role in such activities as advisement, student organization sponsorship, undergraduate research experiences, service learning and instructional technology. A licensed physical therapist, Rabel became a full-time UMES faculty member in January 2007 and is a board certified orthopedic clinical specialist. He also has experience working with physical therapy patients in the private sector on the lower Eastern Shore. He earned his undergraduate degree in computer information systems from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, a master's in physical therapy from UMES and a doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The Linthicum, Md. native has peer-reviewed and published abstracts as well as peer-reviewed scientific and professional educational presentations. Interim President Mortimer Neufville noted Rabel is credited with securing several research grants and is "well respected for his scholarly products for teaching and his continuing education activities." Rabel believes "it is critical that students be expected to act responsibly, to learn to be professional and to meet high standards in the classroom." Finalists for the honor submit a portfolio that includes a "teaching philosophy" statement. Rabel's reads, in part: "It is ... important to treat students with respect, kindness and be fair and impartial in grading and all interactions." "To achieve these goals, I require that students adhere to deadlines, produce quality work and act professionally. I always attempt to make my expectations about required performance clear - both in written as well as verbal instructions." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.