The Center for Teaching and Learning presented Mari Rice with the November 2024 Everyday Teaching recognition for her exemplary mentorship and teaching strategies. Rice, a clinical assistant professor and internship coordinator in the School of Public Service, teaches a number of environmental topics, with an emphasis on providing experiential learning opportunities for students.
Rice was nominated by a colleague, who shared, “Mari teaches environmental classes embedded in natural realities. She regularly includes service-learning projects into introduction and advanced courses. The projects make a significant difference in helping the students learn about environmental issues. For example, she challenged her students to create the “Tree Atlas” and she is working with students to build a dashboard for information about restoration information on trails in the Boise Foothills. Mari’s relentless pursuit of engagement makes her an incredibly effective educator.”