Outstanding faculty: Laurey Steinke, PhD

Laurey Steinke, PhD

Laurey Steinke, PhD

Laurey Steinke, PhD, an associate professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology in the UNMC College of Medicine, will receive the Outstanding Teacher Award during the annual faculty meeting to be held virtually on April 18, beginning at 3 p.m.; details are available on the faculty senate page online.

  • Name: Laurey Steinke, PhD
  • Title: Associate professor 
  • Joined UNMC: 1991
  • Hometown: Born in Omaha, raised in Norfolk, Nebraska

What are the greatest rewards of teaching?

The greatest rewards of teaching are the successes of my students. I love to see them enjoying their careers. It is fantastic to meet a former student in a pharmacy or a clinic and to catch up. In the classroom, the immediate reward is to see faces brighten with comprehension. 

What are the biggest challenges you face as a teacher?

The biggest challenge I face as a teacher is trying to reach every student in the room. Those with less background are often mixed with others who have a particular interest in the topic, and what is necessary for one is boring repetition for the other. I have yet to find a method of organizing material that works for every student, but I keep trying.

Describe a moment in your career when you knew you chose the right occupation.

A student with an insufficient background had been coming to my office for extra help and explanations. When they passed the course with a B, despite failing an early exam, I knew that I was where I wanted to be. 

How do you know when you’ve been a successful teacher?

When a student e-mails me a question taking what I taught and building on it. Thinking of the material in a new way so that I have to think hard or go to the literature to answer them. 

27 comments

  1. Karen Gould says:

    Congratulations Laurey on this much deserved recognition. You are an incredibly gifted and committed teacher, and our students are lucky to have had you in the classroom.

    1. Laurey Steinke says:

      Thanks Karen!

  2. Cindy Skarda says:

    Congratulations Laurey!

    1. Laurey Steinke says:

      Thanks Cindy!

  3. Robert Bennett says:

    Congratulations, Laurey!

    1. Laurey Steinke says:

      Thanks Bob!

  4. Karuna Rasineni says:

    Congratulations Dr. Laurey!

    1. Laurey Steinke says:

      Thank you!

  5. Wasim Nasser says:

    Congratulations, Laurey! Well-deserved

    1. Laurey Steinke says:

      Thank you!

  6. Parthasarathy Seshacharyulu says:

    Congrats Steinke!!

    1. Laurey Steinke says:

      Thanks.

  7. Peter Iwen says:

    Congratulations Laurey! A well deserved honor!

  8. Rebecca Anderson says:

    Kudos! Especially pleasing when a non-MD is recognized for superior teaching.

    1. Laurey Steinke says:

      Thanks Becky!

  9. Ryan Singh says:

    Congratulations on the award, Dr. Steinke! It is well-deserved!

    1. Laurey Steinke says:

      Thank you Ryan!

  10. Mark Fleisher says:

    Congratulations!! Very much deserved!!

    1. Laurey Steinke says:

      Thanks Mark! I hope that retirement is treating you well.

  11. Beth Culross says:

    Congratulations Laurey!

  12. Vinai Thomas says:

    Congratulations, Laurey on this well deserved recognition!

  13. Dave Carver says:

    Laurey, congratulations on a well-deserved award. In addition to your excellence in teaching, I really appreciate your work as a dedicated, highly engaged committee member and small group facilitator.

  14. Sujata Chaudhari says:

    Congratulations, Laurey! A well deserved award!

  15. Tom O’Connor says:

    Way to go, Laurey!

  16. Kusum K. Kharbanda says:

    Congratulations, Laurey!

  17. Linda Wilkie says:

    Congratulations Laurie, very well deserved recognition.

  18. Gleb Haynatzki says:

    Well deserved, Dr Steinke!

Comments are closed.