Winner of University of Kentucky's Outstanding Literature Teaching Assistant of the Year and nominee for the College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Teaching Assistant in 2018, Margaret Frymire Kelly is an exemplary instructor. This page speaks to the excellence of her teaching with selections from anonymous student evaluations and faculty class observations.
STUDENT EVALUATIONS
"[Ms. Kelly] is one of the best professors I have had. She made this class interesting. She is very enthusiastic about what she teaches so it really helps make the class more interesting. She is also very clear with instructions and any help or guidance we needed throughout this course she was always there to help."
"She asked deep questions that provoked thought and discussion, explained how the texts related to what we were learning in lecture. She was approachable, gave excellent feedback for essays with a combination of critiques, critical analysis, asking questions, but also letting us know what we did well so we could continue that in the next essays, and really initiated participation. She was always well prepared for class and actively engaged in conversation with us. I always left her class with new knowledge."
"She is very engaging and pushes students to do their best. This is my second semester with her and I would take her again if allowed."
"[Ms. Kelly] is very engaging and versatile in the way that she teaches. She seems very open-minded to diverse ideas and discussions and really emphasized the importance of thinking critically and analyzing a subject. She honestly made the class much more interesting."
"Ms. Kelly was always kind, engaged, and accessible outside of class. She is obviously extremely knowledgeable and passionate about her teaching."
FACULTY OBSERVATIONS
"[Margaret's class on visual rhetoric using Beyoncé's "Formation"] was impeccably well-organized, SMART, intellectually stimulating, and thought-provoking -- as is the entire syllabus. I admire Margaret's ability to engage students in complex and challenging discussions on race, gender, sexuality, disability, culture, and religion -- and her willingness to do so...Margaret seeks to challenge not only students (by opening up a range of well-argued perspectives on an issue) but also herself as an instructor (by refusing to reach for content that's easy or comfortable). We are lucky to have Margaret teaching our students."
- Michelle Sizemore, Associate Professor of English & Director of Undergraduate Studies, University of Kentucky
"In addition to observing Margaret's class, I explored the Canvas for WRD 110 and found the digital tools and materials to be organized and accessible. The range of content for the course showed that Margaret exercised a practice of critical pedagogy to foster an inclusive learning environment. I was also impressed by the variety and innovation of assignments and other forms of engagement."
- Shauna Morgan, Associate Professor of English & Faculty Advisor for Inclusion and Equity (CELT), University of Kentucky
"Margaret Frymire Kelly's performance as teacher of the class I observed was excellent in every way. In her manner, confident speaking voice, and obvious command of the subject under discussion, she impressed me as an experienced natural teacher. The students seemed interested in the subject at hand and participated enthusiastically in the class discussion. The students were relaxed, present, and well prepared for the discussion. They also clearly respected Ms. Kelly as they concentrated fully on the class proceedings. Ms. Kelly gave every indication of already being a polished professional teacher."
- Gurney Norman, Author & Professor of English, University of Kentucky