The Prouty, Nebraska Wesleyan’s top teaching award, went to Wortmann in her 15th year at SM̳, and her 25th in the classroom. Her strengths as a professor shined in students’ nomination letters and course evaluations.
“I have grown so much as a scholar, and I owe a lot of that growth to [Wortmann] pushing me to be better every week in how I approached this research, the depth of my analysis, and my writing,” said one student.
Wortmann’s emphasis on portfolio development impressed another student. “I appreciate that we spent almost every single week, every assignment, every class focused on creating this portfolio. I like that it is very personal, and individual to each of us, and is useful for people whether they want to get a job, another internship, or apply for grad school.”
A third called her classroom “a healthy environment where I felt safe to make mistakes or express who I really am.”
“I was honored to be nominated for the Prouty,” Wortmann said. She described her goals as a professor. “I aspire to have students who want to come to class prepared and engaged, and to genuinely interest them in sociology.”