Long-time social studies teacher Timothy Rodman was awarded the University of Chicago’s Outstanding Educator Award on Oct. 23.
Each year, the incoming class at UChicago has the opportunity to nominate a former teacher who made a positive impact on their lives, and WJ graduate and economics student Daniela Znam nominated Rodman for the award.
“I nominated Mr. Rodman for the award because he goes above and beyond for students, putting in so much effort behind the scenes,” Znam said. “He so often goes out of his way to help, whether it’s dedicating his whole lunch period to answering questions, giving up his Saturday to help with a bake sale or volunteering to be a judge for DECA competitions so he can help club members better prepare.”
Rodman worked with Znam since her freshman year at WJ through DECA and Model UN, two of the clubs that Rodman sponsors, and accompanied her on one of her trips to DECA nationals. With the tight relationship they formed through these clubs, nominating Rodman was a clear decision for Znam. But, the award was a complete surprise to Rodman when he found it in the school’s mailroom.
“I was very surprised and very thankful. I texted her just to say thank you and how humbling it was and appreciative I was to be able to get the award and for thinking of me,” Rodman said. “She responded and was like, of course, I thought you were my most impactful teacher I have had in my life. That to me is my paycheck because I do not do this for the money or the fame.”
Rodman is able to teach and form close connections with his students, such as the one he formed with Znam, through his interactive, team-oriented teaching style. For example, Rodman splits each of his classes into table groups or “teams,” which compete against each other to earn the most points and receive a prize at the end of each quarter. Students in teams must work together to win points in class activities. Rodman also holds unique simulation activities such as a mock presidential election and congressional session in his AP U.S. Government classes and a production factory in his AP Microeconomics and Macroeconomics classes.
“I really try to use collaboration to form relationships with students and find out what their story is and from that story to be able to share and connect to the topics we’re learning,” Rodman said. “The more you can connect [the content] to your world, the more likely you’re going to be able to interact with it, the more likely you’re going to be able to use it and find uses for it down the road and I think that’s really vital.”
Some of Rodman’s former students have gone on to walk the halls of Congress or the state or county councils, while others, like Znam, have majored in economics and now are economists in the federal bureaucracy or private industries. Similarly, students still at WJ have Rodman to thank for sparking their interests in economics and government.
“Mr. Rodman is such a great teacher,” senior Francesca Lisbino said. “Learning about micro and macroeconomics from him taught me the different aspects of econ and what I really like about business. But even more so, his involvement with DECA and pushing me to compete in different marketing and hospitality competitions led me to realizing I want to major in marketing and management in the future.”
Rodman’s UChicago Outstanding Educator award is displayed proudly on his classroom desk, a reminder of not just Znam’s story but all of the stories that Rodman has made a difference in.
