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Mathematical Sciences Faculty Shine in Thank-A-Teacher Recognition

Ermias Kassaye teaching in bootcamp classroom

Sixteen faculty members from the Department of Mathematical Sciences were honored through George Mason University's tenth annual Thank-A-Teacher Program, representing nearly 20% of the 82 College of Science faculty recognized this year. The program, led by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning, gives students an opportunity to express gratitude to faculty who have inspired, guided, and supported them throughout their academic journey. The recognition reflects the department's commitment to excellence in teaching and creating supportive learning environments where students feel capable, inspired, and empowered to succeed in mathematics.

The Mathematical Sciences awardees are: Harrison Bray, Timothee Bryan, Gabriela Bulancea, Scott Carson, Michael Coleson, Karen Crossin, Aman D'Souza, Neil Epstein, Stephanie Gaffney, Ermias Kassaye, Anton Lukyanenko, Haja Razafinjatovo, Rosemberg Toala-Enriquez, Thomas Wanner, Jingya Yan, and Pamela Yusko.

Student messages highlighted the profound impact these educators have made. A small sampling of excerpts:

 "THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TEACHING MATH!!! I don't think I've ever enjoyed math this much in my entire life. I may have struggled a little, but the struggle was worth it at the end of the day! Thank you for bringing back the joy in math."

"Thank you so much for this semester! You have been a very understanding professor and I felt very comfortable being able to talk to you and come to office hours with questions. You motivated me and checked in on me throughout the semester and helped me truly understand certain concepts."

"I just want to take the time to sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for being one of the most impactful professors I’ve ever had not just in math, but in my entire educational journey. I can honestly say that you are one of the best math professors I’ve ever experienced, and I feel incredibly grateful to have had the chance to learn from you."

" I wanted to express my sincerest gratitude for all you do! Your teaching approach and organization of the course made it easier for me to grasp the different concepts and formulas we learned in class."

"Your patience and passion for what you do have inspired me, and I hope to emulate your hard work as I move on into my field of teaching."

"Thank you for being a knowledgeable and engaging professor. Your passion for the subject is contagious, and it has truly enhanced my learning experience."

* The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.