Three doctoral students nominated Dr. Byrne for the award. Three excerpts from their narratives include:
“Michelle’s knowledge of and expertise in nursing education are evident in her teaching style. She is an educator that truly leads by example. In the learning environment, she role models ways to be an expert educator. The syllabus, the course materials and the learning activities are all student centered and evidence of her excellence in teaching. She does not teach about what it means to be a good teacher-she shows us what it means by being available to her students, demonstrating a commitment to our success, being transparent, not being afraid to learn with us and from us, and helping us enjoy the process of learning. …. I was so nervous start the EdD program. I had no confidence that I could succeed. I did not think that I belonged or would fit in. I contemplated withdrawing before even starting, but my interactions with Michelle changed that. She was open, accessible, and honest. My interactions with Michelle really helped me to feel more comfortable about starting the program.”
“Michelle is an excellent teacher and responsive to students’ needs. She inspires us to do our best and is able to break down complex tasks in ways that make them easier to understand. She is also careful to take into consideration what is happening in our other courses and lives when assigning projects. She is fair and unbiased in her evaluation and assessments, giving both constructive criticism and praise. Michelle is approachable and available to her students. She has been a great support to me in changing employment and in my dissertation process. Michelle is an excellent role model and I am blessed to have her as a mentor.”
“Dr. Byrne consistently approaches her students with an eye to how she can help them grow in their lifelong learning. Her assignments are applicable to real-world use and clearly tie to best educational practices. She is not afraid to reach out of the field of nursing for educational resources that will produce great educators. She approaches her students as a caring colleague, supporting our growth through the triumphs and tragedies of graduate educations. She is a role model for pursing excellence in scholarship and we have learned so much from her approaches to sharing innovative educational practices. She is fair in her evaluation and demonstrates integrity while maintaining flexibility in helping students meet educational goals. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Byrne and hope that I can emulate her practices as I grow as an educator.”