John R. Seiler

Excellence in Teaching Spotlight by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Virginia Tech

The Excellence in Teaching Spotlight, presented by the center to approximately nine Virginia Tech faculty members each academic year, recognizes a faculty member's effective, engaged, and dynamic approaches and achievements as an educator.

Among the goals of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning are advancing experiential learning at Virginia Tech and improving student learning through research-based instructional practices and student-centered design. According to Seiler, his approach to teaching emphasizes real-world applicability: “Very briefly I strive very hard to show the practical relevance of all topics I cover in all classes. I try never to leave students wondering how various topics will apply to their future jobs of managing natural resources. In fact, I tell students on day one that if they are sitting in class wondering: ‘what in the world does this have to do with my major’ to ask, and if I can’t give them a practical or applied reason, we will skip the section.”

Christopher Gough, Professor of Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University and a former student and graduate advisee of Seiler, conveyed his gratitude for Seiler's influence on his life: “I’m grateful to count Dr. Seiler as a friend, colleague, and among the most influential teachers and advisors of my career. Dr. Seiler’s student-focused approach to advising and teaching is an enduring point of reference; his example remains a guiding light in all I do professionally.”

Another former student of Seiler's, Moriah Owen, expressed great admiration for Seiler as a thoughtful and caring educator: "Dr. Seiler is not just a professor. He is, in every sense, a true educator. His passion for natural resources and care for his students is so evident in how he teaches. He explains every concept thoroughly—from the most complex systems to the simplest facts. I learn something new every time I see him. His wealth of knowledge is immense, but what's even more incredible is his ability to share it with students. Through his impeccable timing and entertaining delivery, Dr. Seiler illuminates the connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, tying everything into the bigger picture. He simultaneously shows us as students how to put the pieces together ourselves, to think critically. And what's even better is that he leads by example—the absolute best way to teach."

Seiler provided the following advice for new college teachers: “My advice to new teachers is to find a community focused on teaching. Not all departments and programs prioritize and/or value teaching compared to other activities, so it can be lonely particularly if you're struggling. It helps to find others who have gone or are going through the same experiences as you in the classroom. There are a lot of really good ideas that have already been tested in the classroom that may address some of the challenges you're having. Most of the challenges you'll face won't be unique to you. Challenges related to student engagement, assessing work, and structuring courses are inherent challenges to the profession. You're not alone! CETL is a good place to start if you're looking for this type of community, but always be hungry for conversations around teaching. I learned a lot about effective teaching from these informal conversations over the years.”