...Donald Platt continued

I feel that as a teacher you have this unique opportunity to influence many lives and many careers. This is what motivates me in the classroom. Who knows what your student of today may accomplish in the future. I’m also motivated by learning about new fields and disciplines all the time, always trying to keep a fresh perspective.

Our students consistently offer feedback on the space systems program and they tell us the program is unique and highly valuable in terms of integrating multiple disciplines. These individuals have diverse undergraduate backgrounds in engineering and/or science. They also tell us the program really fits their working lifestyles. Florida Tech understands that our students are also employees and perhaps a spouse or parent. Our programs are flexible to accommodate their busy and changing schedules. Back to the Spaceport site

I get excited about teaching because it gives me the opportunity to tell students about actual events that take place using the knowledge they are learning in the classroom. What differentiates me from other instructors is the broadness and depth of my background and education. I have worked in DoD, NASA, industry and now State Government. With five degrees ranging from business to environmental engineering, I've about touched everything. My motivation comes from helping people reach for their next goal and the happiness they receive in that accomplishment.

Jim Bryant, Ph.D. has been a Florida Tech adjunct faculty member since 1999. His areas of specialization include the teaching of systems management and information systems courses.

The best aspect of teaching working adults in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program is knowing that many of these students will make a positive contribution to public or private sector organizations. All from what they have learned at Florida Tech. It's this carry-over effect, beyond the course work, that adds so much to degree programs such as the MPA.

Norman W. Chlosta, M.P.A.
Assistant Professor and Site Director, Patuxent River, Md.

Teaching is working with willing minds in a quest to do more and to be better than ever before. The process is a partnership. Each student contributes to the other students, and to the instructor. The process is synergistic. You leave the class with more than what each individual brought to the class. When teaching is done well, and at Florida Tech teaching is done well, both the instructor and the student have a well-deserved sense of achievement.

Terry Raney, J.D.
Assistant Professor and Site Director, Fort Lee, Va.

Just before you enter my office, securely fastened to the wall, is The Essence of Survival. It ends with the statement, “It doesn't matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle ... when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."

Our adult learners, no matter where they are employed, know that they must have up-to-date information in order to compete in a knowledge-based environment. And they come to Florida Tech expecting a cutting-edge education.

This is what makes teaching our students an exciting adventure. If I am to be an effective professor, every morning I had better be up and running to cull the latest knowledge available and scan the environment for cutting-edge applications.

Catherine A. Elder, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Site Director, Hampton Roads, Va.