When students enter a science course like chemistry, they sometimes dread the subject and the work that must be completed. Ann Abraham, associate professor of chemistry at 91ֿ at Ashtabula, says she does everything she can for students to learn, enjoy and understand the feared subject.
This year, thanks to her dedication to her students and her passion for chemistry, Abraham was honored with the Distinguished Teaching Award.
Sponsored by the 91ֿ Alumni Association, the Distinguished Teaching Award is the university’s most prestigious honor in teaching for full-time, tenure-track faculty members. The award is presented annually to three faculty members who demonstrate extraordinary teaching in the classroom and a devotion to touching the lives of students.
“It feels very nice to receive this honor,” says Abraham. “I was nominated two years ago, so I was very surprised to actually win it this year. I was up against professors who teach hundreds of students a semester, so I think it shows I must be doing something right.”
For the last nine years, Abraham has been touching the lives of her students through her unique teaching styles. She says it is important for her to keep the classroom an interactive and engaging environment, which is done by conversation and hands-on activities.
“A lot of students hate chemistry,” says Abraham. “Armed with this knowledge going into the first day of lecture, I know I have a short time to pique student interest or lose them to the realm of cell phones and computer games.”
Kelly Macino, sophomore nursing major, nominated Abraham for the Distinguished Teaching Award.
“Dr. Abraham has a way of explaining chemistry that just makes sense,” says Macino. “Her lectures have the right combination of enough detail to thoroughly explain the material, but not too much that it becomes overkill or confusing.”
Macino says that although Abraham’s exams are challenging, her knowledge of the chemistry field is unparalleled.
“When she talks about the subject, there is just this light about her,” says Macino.
For more information about the Distinguished Teaching Award and other finalists, visit ;