{"id":7828,"date":"2025-07-29T14:38:35","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T19:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/advancing-learning\/?p=7828"},"modified":"2026-01-08T09:45:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T15:45:26","slug":"the-positive-impact-of-instructors-students-perspective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/advancing-learning\/the-positive-impact-of-instructors-students-perspective\/","title":{"rendered":"The Positive Impact of Instructors: Students\u2019 Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CASL’s Thank an Instructor<\/em><\/strong><\/a> program has received nearly 800 comments from students (784 to be exact) about how instructors make a difference. The program provides an opportunity for UWM students and alumni to submit a note expressing appreciation for an instructor. This brief report provides an overview of four main themes from student responses on how instructors have positively impacted students\u2019 educational experiences.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Instructor Support and Belief in Students. <\/strong>Students repeatedly emphasized how instructors\u2019 faith in their potential\u2014especially in moments of self-doubt\u2014transformed their academic trajectories and personal confidence. Faculty were credited with helping students persist through difficult semesters, rediscover self-worth, and believe in their future success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Theme 1: Instructor Support and Belief in Students<\/strong>\u00a0<\/div>
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Theme 1: Instructor Support and Belief in Students<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This theme captures the widespread sentiment among students that instructors played a pivotal role in their academic and personal development by offering unwavering belief, support, and encouragement. Students consistently described faculty members as deeply invested in their growth, often identifying specific moments when instructors went beyond traditional academic duties to offer guidance, validate their potential, or provide emotional support. This belief in students\u2019 abilities\u2014often when students doubted themselves\u2014was described as transformational, influencing not only students\u2019 confidence and academic persistence but also their long-term career aspirations. The following excerpts illustrate the meaningful ways instructors inspired confidence and fostered students\u2019 beliefs in themselves.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • \u201cYou’re the first math teacher I’ve ever had, at any level, who really believed in me and my abilities. Your course is the reason I feel confident enough to tackle higher-level math courses\u2026\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u201cYou not only pushed me but challenged me with the support I needed which made this a course to love instead of a course to fear.\u201d  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u201cI haven’t had an instructor believe in me the way you have since I was in middle school.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u201cYou made me believe that I could do this\u2026Your encouragement, support, and intensity and passion for teaching left a lasting impact on me.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u201cYou made us feel like we were supposed to be there as students\u2026and that you were on the students’ side; fighting for us, actually there for us, and that meant the world to me.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u201cYou made me think about how I think. I doubted myself, but you did not. You reminded me I am not alone. My success mattered to you, which made it matter to me.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u201cIt was visible how much you cared about my learning. I was lucky to have you as a teacher and you game me confidence in my skills.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u201cI want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the profound impact you have had on my journey as a student. Your kindness, empathy, and unwavering support have truly made a world of difference\u2026\u201d  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u201cI want to thank you for being warm, welcoming, encouraging and most importantly motivating me to further my education.\u201d  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u201cYou\u2019ve truly been the best professor I\u2019ve ever had\u2014not just at UWM, but in my entire education.\u201d  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u201cThank you for believing in me, for advocating on my behalf, and for playing such a pivotal role in my academic and professional development.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u201cYou saw what I could be… I\u2019ve never wanted to work as hard as I\u2019m working now and that is because of you.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u201cYou were genuinely the kindest teacher I have ever had… your graciousness really helped me this semester.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \u201cYour feedback on the papers I have written this semester have severely improved my thoughts on writing, and your faith in me is something I will hold onto for the rest of my life.\u201d  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Across the thank-you notes, students frequently conveyed that what set their instructors apart was not merely content delivery, but their unrelenting belief in students\u2019 abilities. The impact of this support manifested in various ways\u2014from students remaining in difficult courses to choosing new academic majors or advanced educational paths. Students said they felt motivated, capable, and proud because of faculty who pushed, encouraged, and challenged them without judgement. This belief frequently led to renewed academic confidence, clarified goals, and emotional healing\u2014particularly for first generation college students. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    2. Innovative and Transformative Learning Experiences.<\/strong> <\/strong>Students thanked their instructors for coursework that was intellectually stimulating and life changing. Through passionate instruction, real-world relevance, and creative pedagogy, these courses deepened understanding, sparked new interests, and reconnected students with their life passions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    Theme 2: Innovative and Transformative Learning Experiences<\/div>
    \n

    Theme 2: Innovative and Transformative Learning Experiences <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    This theme reflects how students experienced personal and intellectual transformation through engaging course content, innovative pedagogy, and instructors’ passionate delivery. Many students highlighted specific classes as \u201ceye-opening,\u201d \u201clife-changing,\u201d or \u201cchallenging in the best way,\u201d describing how these courses reshaped their worldview, ignited new academic interests, or revived their passions. These transformative experiences extended beyond cognitive gains to include shifts in self-perception, purpose, and future direction. Students attributed these moments to instructors’ ability to make complex material accessible, integrate real-world applications, and foster critical reflection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • \u201cTaking your classes is the most important reason I decided to major in this subject.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cThis class opened my eyes into a new way of thinking and I\u2019m forever grateful.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cYour course has had a lasting impact on the way I think as a researcher.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cAfter taking your course, I have started reading and writing again. I actually dug out all of my old projects and applied what we learned to them!\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cYou not only taught the theory with exceptional clarity but also cultivated a deeper appreciation for the phenomena.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cYour consistent feedback and the diversity of course materials helped bridge theory and practice for me.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cI\u2019m glad I took this course. It reminded me that I am still creative and helped me regain my confidence.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cYour class has been instrumental in strengthening my analytical skills… empowering me to apply different methods.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cI didn\u2019t expect I’d find it in this course. But I did, thanks to you, and I won’t forget that.\u201d  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201c<\/em>The course was well-designed, and I loved the variety of topics we covered, and how you included so many different ways to learn!\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cYou made chemistry feel like one of the easiest subjects to learn\u2026 I\u2019m sure I will be successful in the coming semesters of chemistry because of what I learned from you.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cYour lectures were incredibly insightful, and I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into making the material engaging and accessible.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cThis class was thoughtfully laid out and made my semester more interesting. I really appreciate everything you do for your students.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cYou made sure no one was left behind, and that in itself speaks volumes about your dedication.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cYour teaching has had a profound impact on me both academically and professionally\u2026 You made complex concepts accessible and sparked a deeper interest in data.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cYou are an amazing professor who has made an impact on my academic and now professional career.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cI will be thinking about this class for years. This is why I came to college.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cI hated this topic before your class. Thanks to you, I now love it, understand it, and even got published in it!!\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cYou asked for our opinions and feedback and actually meant it, and then listened and responded.\u201d  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cYou make it clear how the classes actually fit together and built on each other!\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u201cI really loved how organized class was! It relieved a lot of stress when I knew what was coming up in class.\u201d  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Students wrote about the lasting impact of their courses, describing them as pivotal turning points in their academic and personal journeys. Students noted how instructors connected content to real-world contexts, job relevance, and personal meaning. Students repeatedly highlighted clear expectations, organized course design, and teaching that \u201cjust made sense.\u201d Faculty explained concepts multiple ways, invited questions, and ensured comprehension before moving on. Students appreciated classes that built sequentially, offered structured but flexible activities, and provided frequent formative feedback. Students described these environments as empowering and low-pressure while still being rigorous and intellectually challenging. These comments on the thank-you notes underscored how faculty created intellectually rich environments that did more than inform\u2014they inspired and transformed. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

      3. Inclusive, Safe, and Empowering Learning Communities. <\/strong>Instructors were praised for fostering emotionally safe, respectful, and inclusive classrooms that enabled full student participation and identity expression. This theme included support for diverse backgrounds, identities, accommodations, and mental health needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      Theme 3: Inclusive, Safe, and Empowering Learning Communities\u00a0<\/div>
      \n

      Theme 3: Inclusive, Safe, and Empowering Learning Communities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      This theme is about students\u2019 deep appreciation for instructors who cultivated inclusive, empathetic, and emotionally safe learning spaces. Many students shared how these environments empowered them to engage more fully\u2014especially those who entered courses with anxiety, past negative experiences, or personal challenges. Instructors achieved this by encouraging open dialogue, validating students\u2019 experiences, respecting diverse identities, and showing genuine care for students\u2019 well-being. Such efforts were seen not only as supportive but as crucial to students\u2019 academic persistence and well-being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • \u201cYou\u2019ve made anatomy and neuro anatomy a less stressful class due to your openness and welcoming personality.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cI was nervous going into college… but your class was truly a space where I could be myself, feel part of a community, and learn all at once.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cI used to be afraid to participate in my courses… But now, everything is different… I am sure I am on my way.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYou made class a safe space for me to speak my mind, which is something I have struggled with in the past.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cThank you for creating a welcoming environment that made me feel comfortable.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cThank you for being such a kind, understanding, and supportive instructor throughout the semester.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYou treated students as professionals\u2026 and established expectations of us as students and future providers.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cI felt welcomed, seen, and cared for.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cThank you for making the classroom feel safe and encouraging.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYour class was truly a space where I could be myself, feel part of a community, and learn all at once.\u201d <\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYou fostered a positive learning environment… where our lived experiences could be explored with both rigor and compassion.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYou made class so warm and welcoming, and you were so accommodating with my issues! I have definitely fallen in love with this discipline\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYour kindness and funny jokes in class made me feel welcomed, seen, and cared for.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cEven the seemingly small ways in which you showed patience and support made a huge impact.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cThank you for being the kind of professor and person who makes students feel seen, supported, and safe.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYou were always responding to our doubts and always being supportive.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYou\u2019ve given me so many tools to success and a different way of thinking\u2026 I finally feel like there is a place for me…\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYou made me feel welcome, competent, and assigned excellent prompts to get all your students to both think critically and write creatively.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYou helped me find what I wanted to spend a large part of my life doing and helped me throughout this hard semester.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cI had no idea what I was doing and you welcomed me any way and said that\u2019s why we are here, to learn. You never made me feel bad about it.\u201d  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYou shared not just your knowledge but your experience which made me feel welcomed, wanted, and like I could be authentic.\u201d  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYou listened to us, you waited for us to process what you shared and then you spoke. You were not frustrated that I did not understand right away. You did not make me feel stupid, but like I was learning.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYour enthusiasm to teach, your enthusiasm for us, and the enthusiasm for the topic made all the difference to me\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cYour dedication and flexibility to all of us was so clear.  You reached out, checked in on us, and were patient and caring about us as people not just students\u201d  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • \u201cNot only did I feel like I could relate to you, but you helped me personally with support, encouragement, and recommendations on ways for me to get involved.\u201d <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        A recurring feature in the thank-you notes was the students\u2019 recognition of faculty members who made them feel seen, heard, and safe. Faculty brought energy, humor, and deep passion for their subjects\u2014making learning enjoyable, accessible, and interesting. These instructors fostered classroom cultures where students felt confident to speak, ask questions, and express vulnerability\u2014experiences often described as rare or previously unattainable.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

        4. Accessibility, Flexibility, and Commitment to Student Success. <\/strong>Faculty were repeatedly commended for going above and beyond in offering accessible office hours, deadline flexibility, responsiveness, and tailored support. These efforts were vital to students\u2019 ability to overcome personal, academic, or logistical challenges in order to succeed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
        Theme 4: Accessibility, Flexibility, and Commitment to Student Success<\/div>
        \n

        Theme 4: Accessibility, Flexibility, and Commitment to Student Success<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        This theme captures students\u2019 appreciation for instructors who demonstrated flexibility, responsiveness, and accessibility\u2014particularly in the face of personal, academic, or logistical challenges. Students frequently described professors who extended deadlines, accommodated disabilities or military service, adjusted to work schedules, or offered extra office hours. These efforts were not seen as simple administrative gestures, but as acts of care that enabled students to persist in their education despite obstacles. The theme highlights how flexible teaching practices directly influenced student retention, performance, and morale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • \u201cYou helped me improve my work… and gave me extra time on assignments when I couldn\u2019t meet the deadlines. I did not know if I could be a college student, but you allowed me to become one.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • \u201cIt felt easy to contact you and not like I was bothering you. You cared about me as a person, not just as a student.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • “You were my lifeline this semester. If not for you and your flexibility and understanding, I would not be able to come back and complete this degree.”<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • \u201cYou were understanding and willing to work with me to catch up\u2026 which really helped reduce my stress. It made me feel like you wanted me here.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • \u201cThank you for accommodating my schedule and allowing me extra time to take my exams when necessary.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • \u201cThank you for your patience in accommodating students and making students gain insightful skills in multivariate statistics.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • \u201cEven though I had problems with my attendance, turning in my work on time… you helped me complete this course and learn how to learn.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • \u201cI truly appreciate your flexibility with deadlines, checking in with me during class, and even the class in general.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • \u201cYour understanding during sick times and military service…bless you.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • \u201cThank you for working with me and accommodating me. Once I got things sorted, I learned better than I have in nearly every class I\u2019ve taken. You are a great teacher, because you actually helped us learn, not faulted us for living.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • \u201cYou had my back so I could focus on the learning.\u201d <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Throughout the thank-you notes, students expressed gratitude for instructors who not only taught with excellence but also recognized and responded to the complexities of students’ lives. Instructors were lauded for their availability, flexibility, and patience\u2014especially in moments of life disruption. Whether accommodating military service, illness, personal crises, or simply extending deadlines with compassion, students emphasized how faculty \u201chad my back\u201d so they could stay focused on learning. This flexibility was seen not as leniency but as care-driven academic support. Faculty who offered personalized accommodations or remained consistently available were described as lifelines\u2014often cited as the reason a student remained enrolled or succeeded. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

          Overall, students expressed that what made their instructors exceptional went beyond content delivery\u2014it was who they were as people and how they invited students into being part of a community of learners. Faculty became sources of inspiration and encouragement, and these quotes reflect the admiration students had for instructors in all the ways they made differences in their lives and educational journey.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • \u201cYou are not only an exceptional instructor but also a great person… I truly and sincerely thank you so much for not only believing in me but pushing me to do my very best.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • \u201cI\u2019m always looking for role models… and I found one in you. I want to be you when I grow up!\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • \u201cYour passion, skill, experience, intelligence, and talent all culminated to make this class truly great.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • \u201cYou treat all students equally, lead with both empathy and discipline, and consistently inspire us to aim higher. Seeing you do it let me know I can do it.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • \u201cI aspire to follow in your footsteps and become half of the clinical provider you are.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • \u201cYou were teaching from a figurative wellspring of both passion and skill.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • \u201cThank you for being a mentor, motivator, and one of the most impactful educators I\u2019ve ever had.\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • \u201cYou\u2019ve given me so many tools to succeed and a different way of thinking. I will never forget you or this experience.\u201d <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            CASL’s Thank an Instructor program has received nearly 800 comments from students (784 to be exact) about how instructors make a difference. 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