Obielodan recognized with Underkofler teaching award

Dr. Florence Obielodan, senior lecturer of mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is one of four recipients across the Universities of Wisconsin receiving the 2024 Alliant Energy James R. Underkofler Teaching Excellence Award. The James R. Underkofler Teaching Excellence Award, funded by an endowment from the Alliant Energy Foundation, Inc., recognizes and rewards extraordinary undergraduate teachers at the Universities of Wisconsin campuses within Alliant Energy's service area. The award pays tribute to the dedication of faculty and staff as teachers and their ability to communicate their subject matter effectively and inspire in their students an enthusiasm for learning.

"Florence is innovative, reflective and always looking for ways to improve her teaching," said Dr. Jason Thrun, professor and assistant chair of mathematics at UW-Platteville. "Her focus is on success beyond the boundaries of the particular class she's teaching."

Obielodan, who has been teaching at UW-Platteville since 2011, said teaching is not just a job. For her, it's a passion. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and says she wants to give a voice to everybody; she wants them to believe in themselves. Obielodan said one of her favorite parts of teaching is the one-on-one interactions she has with students.

"My biggest joy is the 'aha' moment, when they're doing math and get to the final answer. That excitement gives me joy."

There are a number of strategies Obielodan says she utilizes in her classes. By encouraging her students to come up with creative ways of solving problems, she celebrates diversity of reasoning. She promotes a sense of belonging by encouraging active participation and peer-assisted learning through groupwork.

"[Dr. Obielodan] sets high expectations for her students, challenging us to excel and reach our full potential while providing the necessary support and encouragement we need to succeed in mathematics and life," said Emily Diekmann, a junior civil engineering major from Davenport, Iowa. "She imparts knowledge while inspiring and empowering her students to become critical thinkers, problem solvers and lifetime learners through her teaching of mathematics."

Obielodan, along with Dr. David Krugler, will be recognized at the award ceremony in Madison, Wisconsin, on Thursday, Oct. 24.