KyCPA member spotlights continued
college accounting educators
Issue 2
April 22, 2022
5. What was an awesome moment for you as an college accounting educator?
Beauchamp - In one of my first years of teaching accounting at ECTC, one of my students was critically injured in a car accident, due to a tire blowout.
This student had colorful tattoos and her hair was dyed an unnatural color. At the beginning of the semester, some other students were a little standoffish towards her. However, her humility and willingness to learn and help other students with their homework, soon made her a very popular student in the class. Each of us had differences, and it was nice to see students with differences become good friends.
The students, and I, were saddened by her accident and were hoping to see her in class again. Her sister brought her to class one day before the semester ended. She was using a walker to get around and it was a struggle for her to get to the classroom. She showed us her scars and pictures of the accident, where a guardrail had penetrated through the driver's side of her car.
This student had a lengthy recovery and worked diligently to finish her incomplete grades for the fall semester, and followed with a full course load for the spring. That spring I nominated her for ECTC's Outstanding Accounting Student of the Year award. She was selected and was recognized with a plaque at an ECTC awards banquet.
Even though my student was disabled, and in a lot of pain after the accident, she completed her degree and made the Dean's list most semesters.
Burge - Being nominated by students for favorite faculty awards and have them tell your current students you were an impact player in their life. Nothing is better than being acknowledged by your customers. It is an honor that my prior students reach out for career advice, share life and career accomplishments. Each one has their own success story to tell and knowing you played a little part in the journey is very rewarding.
Hale -I once received an unsolicited letter from a former student that said "I found myself quoting you today and I thought I should write and thank you. Thank you for making your classes so difficult and for not letting us even think of slacking. I found myself extremely challenged by your course work, but in a positive way. I wanted to write and tell you how much I truly appreciated the quality of your courses. ... I completed Graduate Certificates in Accounting and Taxation. Additionally, I am completing my Master of Science in Taxation. I hope to graduate this year. I've also managed to earn my EA and CFE. In addition, I am actively studying for my CPA. I have no doubt, this would not have been possible without the foundation you provided."
As an educator, it is hard to top being thanked for pushing a student to her maximum potential. To have a student get back to me years later with their success story is a wonderful surprise. It highlights why we do what we do.
Roberts -I have had several awesome moments over the years, including an Elijah Watt Sells Award winner from our program. Feedback from former students that are happy and successful in their accounting career- that is always awesome.
Siebenthaler -The "awesome moments" as an educator are, of course, when the material clicks with students and creates excitement in the understanding. However, my favorite moments are when I hear from former students who want to share something (anything) from their life with me. Most commonly it is that they passed the CPA exam and nailed the governmental material thanks largely to my class. But hearing from students that are several years out because of a career change or they are thinking about teaching are just as rewarding to me.