Sarah Twill named 2011 Honors Teacher of the Year

One Honors student said that Twill "makes you want to learn."

Sarah Twill, Ph.D., has been named the 2011 Honors Teacher of the Year by the Wright State University Honors Program. Twill is currently an assistant professor of social work in the university’s College of Liberal Arts.

Each spring, the University Honors Program recognizes an Honors Teacher of the Year. Honors student nominations, Honors course evaluations and a variety of other resources influence the selection. The recipient is recognized at the June Honors graduation ceremony with a plaque, certificate and cash award.

Twill teaches human behavior theory and social work practice courses, including courses on Poverty in America, the First Amendment and Social Action, and the First Year Learning Community for the University Honors Program.

Recently, she co-taught an Honors service-learning course on Social and Environmental Sustainability in Appalachia, which featured an alternative spring break learning experience near Athens, Ohio.

Her research interests include juvenile justice sentencing and programming and student success related to community-based research and service-learning pedagogy.

In addition to her academic work, Twill has 10 years of practice experience working with children and families living in poverty. She has worked with rural children with severe emotional disturbances, was the assistant director of a nonprofit poverty outreach center, and worked at a correctional halfway house.

Twill’s student nominator felt she was deserving of this award because she “is an outstanding teacher who really cares about her students. Not only does she make it fun to learn, but she makes you want to learn.” The nominator was also impressed that Twill remains a resource for students throughout their academic careers, keeping them informed about what is going on around campus.

Twill received her B.A. in criminal justice from California State University, Fullerton and her M.S.W. and Ph.D. in social work from the University of Georgia. She was recently promoted to associate professor, effective Fall 2011.