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About what inspires Professor Robert LeGary:
How did you feel when you learned that you won the 2022 Excellence in Teaching Award?
LeGary: I felt deeply honored and humbled by this recognition. It is a privilege and a beautiful gift to be part of the Goodwin family with such caring, supportive, and dedicated colleagues. I also felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for our M.Ed. students who consistently show up with enthusiasm, perseverance, and authenticity and allow me to share in their educational journey.
What inspired you to become a teacher in the first place?
LeGary: My teachers throughout my life, from pre-school through graduate school, were my heroes. They were role models, mentors, and compassionate individuals who nurtured the best in me. As a first-generation college student, I really turned to my teachers as guides for lifelong learning. I wanted to pay that forward by becoming a teacher and hopefully inspiring the next generation.
How did you find your way to Goodwin University?
LeGary: I started my career in special education teaching children, adolescents, and young adults on the autism spectrum social-emotional and independent living skills. I quickly moved into leadership roles in residential treatment and extended day programming; special education curriculum and teacher development; and clinical, transitional, and community living service delivery. As a balance to my administrative life, I started teaching as adjunct faculty at my alma mater. I taught all levels of art history and visual culture courses with traditional college students and returning adults at community-based, satellite campuses for 10 years. Then, in 2016, I started teaching part-time at Goodwin University in the psychology, human services, and early childhood programs. From my first semester, I was duly impressed by the courage, resiliency, and diligence of the Goodwin students. Fortunately, in 2021, I joined the Goodwin family as full-time faculty and the director of the Master of Education (M.Ed.) joint-degree program at Goodwin and University of Bridgeport
What is your role at Goodwin, and what do you love most about it?
LeGary: As the M.Ed. program director, I truly appreciate our Goodwin and University of Bridgeport students and their talents, perspectives, and dedication to education and professional learning. I also value the collegiality and kindness of the Goodwin and University of Bridgeport faculty and professional staff who support our M.Ed. program and students.
What basic principles motivate you as a teacher?
LeGary: I believe that learning is a collaborative, equitable, and visible process that is mutually beneficial and transformative for students and the teacher. My aim is to cultivate a sense of belonging, safety, and confidence among our students and to convey care and optimism in their abilities to achieve their professional goals.
What are your hopes for the future?
LeGary: As an educator, my hope for the future, and I’m seeing positive signs currently, is that higher education will continue to be more accessible, intentional, and equitable for all learners regardless of variabilities. As a human, my hope is that we strive for world peace through our compassion for each other and all living beings. Education provides a clear pathway for this.
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