BOONE—Beth Marsh, assistant director of Freshman Seminar at Appalachian State University, has received the university’s Rennie W. Brantz Award for Outstanding Teaching in Freshman Seminar.

The award is named for Rennie Brantz, who was director of Freshman Seminar for 14 years.

It is presented annually based on the motivation, commitment, dedication and passion instructors bring to the program.

Marsh will receive a $500 cash award and a plaque that will be presented in August when Freshman Seminar instructors, peer leaders, advisors and others meet prior to the beginning of fall semester.

A total of 31 individuals were nominated for the award.

Marsh has a bachelor of science degree from the College of William & Mary. She taught mathematics for four years before enrolling in Appalachian’s master’s program in college student development. While earning her master’s degree, Marsh was interim assistant coordinator of Student Support Services. She was named assistant director of Freshman Seminar and Summer Preview in 2001.

In addition to teaching Freshman Seminar classes, Marsh creates program resources such as training manuals, handbooks and brochures. She annually recruits and trains approximately 60 peer leaders who assist in Freshman Seminar classes and helps train Freshman Seminar instructors.

Marsh fell in love with teaching in the 11th grade when her Latin teacher asked her to teach Latin to academically talented sixth graders in an after-school program. “I embarked on what would end up being a life-changing experience,” she said.

Marsh worked to make Latin fun, using scavenger hunts, sing-a-longs and discussions as part of her lesson plans.

“The joy I got from planning something and watching it materialize for these sixth graders was overwhelming. At the end of this experience, I had a new calling. I wanted to teach,” she said

She admits that her first years teaching high school math wasn’t as rewarding at first.

“My attempts to make things fun resulted in chaos in the classroom,” she said. But Marsh persevered and each year became better at maintaining classroom discipline.

“What did keep me going through those four years were the personal connections I made with many of my students,” she said. “I found that if I could connect with each student in a unique way, then they were more attentive, less problematic and completed their work at a much higher rate.”

Marsh continues to make connections with her students at Appalachian. In fact, she consistently earns excellent evaluations from her students for her approachable and caring manner, friendliness, knowledge and helpfulness.

“When I teach Freshman Seminar, I have three main goals that stem from that first teaching experience in the 11th grade,” she said. “My goals include making a personal connection with each student, respecting students’ time by making each class meaningful, and making learning fun.”

One student nominator wrote that, “Beth Marsh is an extremely caring and loving person, and that is why she gained the love and respect from me and my fellow classmates. Even though she has a busy schedule she always has time for her students.”

Another student wrote of Marsh’s classroom demeanor. “I could have never in a million years asked for a better teacher for this class,” the student wrote. “She helped make my transition from high school to college so much easier in so many ways. She has taught me so much that will stay with me, and be useful as I begin the journey of college over the next four years.”

Marsh says teaching in Freshman Seminar has benefited her as well.

“Teaching this course, learning from my colleagues and interacting with my students have made me into a different person and teacher,” she says. “I have no doubt that I could march right back into that high school math class, make it fun, help them learn and keep them under control, all at the same time. Teaching this course has helped me develop into an educator, not just a teacher.”

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