Two UTA professors selected for UT System’s Outstanding Teaching Awards
The University of Texas System Board of Regents has selected two UT Arlington faculty members—Sonia Kania and Christy Spivey—as recipients of the 2023 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards (ROTA).
The two Maverick professors are among 14 faculty members across UT System’s multiple academic and health institutions recognized for their extraordinary classroom teaching performance and dedication to innovation. Each recipient will receive a medallion, a cash award of $25,000 and formal recognition by the Board of Regents at its upcoming quarterly board meeting on Nov. 20.
Kania is a professor of Spanish and Spivey is a clinical professor of economics.
“Both Dr. Kania and Dr. Spivey put their students first and exemplify our mission of ensuring the success of Maverick students,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said. “They represent the very best of UTA faculty and set a standard of excellence for our entire Maverick community.”
Kania extends tradition of excellence
For Kania, the classroom is not just about students earning a letter grade, but a place for them to learn something that lasts.
“I’m always looking for ways for my students to take something with them,” she said. “I want them to have those hands-on experiences or take something practical, like the Global Seal of Biliteracy, when they are through with my courses.”
A second-generation Mexican American from the south side of Chicago, Kania started taking Spanish classes in high school. In her undergraduate and graduate studies, she developed a passion for Spanish linguistics and the history of Spanish and decided to pursue a doctorate in Spanish philosophy and linguistics.
Kania has been transforming students’ lives at UTA for 20 years. She’s taught about 30 different courses in the Department of Modern Languages. Lately, she teaches Spanish-language courses for heritage speakers.
“Last year I took advantage of two professional development opportunities, and they gave me renewed energy for my teaching,” Kania said. “Putting all the new tools I’ve gained into practice is most crucial for the ongoing success of my students.”
Kania extends the Department of Modern Languages’ distinguished tradition of teaching excellence. The department’s previous Outstanding Teaching Award winners include Iya Price, assistant professor of instruction, in 2022; Alicia Rueda-Acedo, associate professor of Spanish, in 2021; and Amy Austin, associate professor of instruction, in 2019.
Spivey connects with first-gen students
Spivey said she loves making connections with first-generation students in the classroom. She was one herself.
“I empathize with what some of them are going through,” she said. “I learn a lot from the students, their perspectives and the diversity they bring. And I love helping them beyond the classroom and in the workplace.”
Spivey is also a graduate advisor in economics and helps lead the study abroad program in the College of Business.
“You get another perspective on who these students are when you see them away from the classroom,” she said.
Spivey almost exclusively teaches online courses now, and said she enjoys experimenting with varied types of content to better reach her students.
“You have to mix in videos, articles, documentaries and interactive content where possible,” she said. “You have to be willing to use new technologies to reach the online student. I love curating online courses.”
Spivey, who specializes in health and human resources economics, thanked her parents for instilling in her the importance of higher education.
“They didn’t go to college, but they saw the benefits of a degree,” Spivey said. “They saw the economic advantages to earning a degree, and they also felt it was a way to better contribute to society.”
Exemplary classroom performance
The Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards were established in 2008 to honor exemplary classroom performance. Nominees undergo a series of rigorous evaluations by peer faculty and external reviewers. The review panels consider a range of activities and criteria in their evaluations of a candidate’s teaching performance, including classroom expertise, curricula quality, innovative course development and student learning outcomes.
“UT faculty members guide our students’ success and prepare Texas’ future leaders, job creators and innovators,” said Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife. “The Board of Regents is proud to recognize their excellence through the Regents Outstanding Teaching Awards program.”
“The UT presidents and I are grateful to the regents for their continued investment in this important program,” said UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken. “The impact that exceptional faculty have on our students’ lives, both professionally and personally, is immeasurable.”