UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa . — Lauren Kramer, an associate teaching professor in the College of Health and Human Development aims to cultivate a learning environment that will enable her students, who are preparing for careers in allied health fields, to excel in clinical practice.
In spring 2022, Kramer received the 2022 George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching, honoring excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level.
Kramer explained that she incorporates cadaver and other anatomical simulations into live lectures so that students can be better prepared for what they’ll see in their professions. The students who nominated Kramer for the teaching award applauded this emphasis on hands-on learning.
“Dr. Kramer understands that her students have aspirations of becoming physical therapists, physician assistants, doctors, dentists and more,” one student wrote. “She teaches you what the class requires, but she then supplements it with clinical applications we may one day use.”
Another student nominator emphasized Kramer’s combination of subject-matter expertise and approachability.
“I have never heard somebody so knowledgeable about the topic they teach, and she [Kramer] is able to share her knowledge with everybody in the class with ease,” the student wrote. “She has gone above and beyond to make sure everybody understands. She makes sure everybody feels comfortable coming to her with questions, comments and concerns.”
Kramer has taught 18 different courses to undergraduate students within the College of Health and Human Development, including four she created for undergraduate students interested in athletic training, nursing or graduate study in the health professions.
Kramer designed Kinesiology 203: Medical Terminology for Allied Health Professionals, which is often a required prerequisite for application to graduate study, yet it didn’t exist in the course offerings at the University until 2004. It is now taught through Penn State World Campus, at many Commonwealth Campuses and at University Park, to students who wish to pursue a career as an allied health professional.
Kramer has mentored more than two dozen graduate students and supervised more than 100 undergraduate independent studies over her 22-year career. Her expertise in athletic training resulted in her being invited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education to be a site visitor in the accreditation process for the past five years.
Kramer said that receiving the Atherton Award has been a highlight of her career.
“Being chosen for the 2022 George W. Atherton award is the most rewarding accomplishment I have experienced in my 25 years at Penn State. Knowing that I have made a positive impact on so many students is beyond special. I am beyond thankful and extremely blessed to be able to share my love and passion for teaching at my alma mater. WE ARE.”
About the George W. Atherton Award and how to nominate
The George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching is given each year by the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence to four tenure-line, teaching or clinical instructors from across the University who have demonstrated excellence in undergraduate teaching. The award comes with a $2,500 cash prize.
Anyone in the Penn State community or beyond can nominate an instructor for an Atherton Award by completing a form on the Schreyer Institute’s website, which also lists eligibility criteria. Nominees who are chosen to advance in the selection process are then asked to provide supporting documents such as recommendation letters, teaching evaluations and a written teaching philosophy.
Nominations are accepted year-round, and those submitted before June 30, 2023, will be considered for the 2024 awards. The 2023 awards, which will be based on nominations submitted prior to June 30, 2022, will be announced in April 2023 along with several other University undergraduate teaching awards.