Amy Tibbals, a senior lecturer in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of English at The Ohio State University at Marion, has been honored with The Ohio State University’s 2024 Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer. Tibbals, a long-standing faculty member at Ohio State Marion, is a strong advocate for student-centered education and incorporating service-learning into student learning. She was surprised with this prestigious award during a virtual meeting on March 27, and she expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that teaching is her passion.
Known for her innovative teaching methods, Tibbals stands out as the primary instructor for the “Pay It Forward” sections of Second-Year Composition and Business and Professional Writing courses. In these classes, students engage in experiential learning by developing grant request programs for local nonprofit organizations, refining their writing abilities and showcasing their communication skills in a real-world context. Through this program, students gain valuable insights into the missions of organizations in their community, become philanthropists, and learn to work collaboratively as a team – all valuable skills for future employment and life.
Ohio State Marion Dean and Director Gregory S. Rose commended Tibbals for her exceptional teaching and care for students, highlighting her dedication to innovative and impactful education, particularly through the “Pay It Forward” program. Her students have consistently praised the service-learning aspect of her courses, noting the practical application of writing skills and the opportunity to make a difference in their community. Tibbals has also been instrumental in supporting students through her role as the assistant coordinator of the campus Writing Center, where she provides tutoring and mentorship to help students achieve their academic and professional goals.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Tibbals has been recognized for her commitment to utilizing evolving technologies and multimodal projects in course content. She has also presented on building students’ empathy and engagement through service-learning at Ohio State’s Academy of Teaching’s annual conference. Having joined the faculty at Ohio State Marion in 2008, Tibbals previously received the Ohio State Marion Teaching Excellence Award for Associated Faculty in 2013 and the Marion County United Way Community Partner Award in 2017 for her work on the “Pay It Forward” project.
As a recipient of the Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer, Tibbals will receive a $5,000 honorarium and be inducted into Ohio State’s Academy of Teaching. This recognition highlights her dedication to exceptional teaching and student engagement. Tibbals and other faculty award winners for 2024 will be celebrated during the annual Faculty Awards Celebration on April 30. Overall, Tibbals’ commitment to inspiring and empowering students through service-learning and innovative teaching methods has made a lasting impact on the Ohio State Marion campus community.
