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Dr.
Charles Burnap, 2009 Recipient
Charles Burnap was selected from
a prestigious list of finalists as the
2009 recipient of the highest teaching honor bestowed by UNC
Charlotte – the Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence.
Burnap joined the UNC Charlotte faculty as an assistant professor in
1982 and was promoted to associate professor in 1985. After
completing a bachelor’s degree in physics from Rensselaer
Polytechnic University, he earned a master’s and a Ph.D. in physics
from Harvard University. Prior to joining the university, he served
on the faculty of the University of Florida and Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University.
According to Burnap, his teaching is grounded in well-developed
goals and practices. "While setting high
standards is important, it is essential to realize that most courses
include students with a wide range of mathematical backgrounds,
interest and talent," he said.
"Consequently, it is important that high
level goals be approached in small steps. Because mastery comes from
the act of doing, students must be engaged in classroom activities
and must attempt assigned work."
One former student wrote, "He teaches
calculus, which can be very difficult to understand. However, Dr.
Burnap breaks it down and teaches in a way that I can understand. He
gives examples and offers extra help. He sends the class e-mails on
what we covered in class and what the homework is, plus additional
announcements. We also have web work assignments. He seems like he
loves what he does, and he really wants us to do well."
In addition to classroom teaching and individual tutorials, Burnap
has a long history of involvement with other
teaching/student-related activities. Recently, he led
university-wide discussions on teaching and learning and a series of
teaching discussions within his department.
He also served on panels for Summer Institutes and on the College
Task Force on the Evaluation of Teaching. In addition, he chairs the
College Course and Curriculum Committee and is one of only a few
advisors in the Department of Mathematics and
Statistics. |
