Each year, the CSU Alumni Association recognizes outstanding university educators with Best Teacher Awards. Teachers are nominated by students and alumni, and final selections are made by a committee that includes faculty, students and members of the Alumni Association.
The Colorado State University Alumni Association celebrates Best Teachers, April 18, 2016.
The 2016 teachers were honored at an awards dinner on April 18 and included our very own Denise Apodaca, School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.
Denise Favela Apodaca received her B.A. in piano performance from the University of California at Santa Barbara, a master’s in piano performance and a second master’s in piano pedagogy from Northwestern University. She graduated with honors from both universities.
She has been on numerous faculties and has performed throughout the U.S. both as a soloist and as a chamber artist. Favela Apodaca has been an adjudicator for several music teachers’ associations and has given workshops on piano technology, piano pedagogy, performance, music education, Latin American music and early childhood music. She currently serves on the Early Childhood Council of Larimer County and was a member of the executive committee for Beet Street in Fort Collins.
The 2016 Best Teachers: Denise Favela Apodaca, Temple Grandin, Ray Black, Tod R. Clapp, Marisa Bunning, and Chuchang Chiu
For Favela Apodaca, being nominated Best Teacher was an honor in its own right, but being chosen to represent a university filled with such talent was extremely humbling. “There are so many people that have influenced my teaching over the past 25 years and I carry their ideas and thoughts with me each day in the classroom,” she said.
Favela Apodaca is currently coordinator of Piano Proficiency, teaches Piano Skills for Music Therapists, Piano Skills for Music Educators, and Music Appreciation at CSU.
Kristi Bohlender Dirctor of the Alumni Association, Monica Fowlkes, nominating student, Denise Apodaca, and CSU Provost Rick Miranda at the award ceremony.
“As much as I appreciate this award and as grateful as I am for it, the greatest reward I’ve ever been given is the opportunity to help generations of students learn how to think critically about the world around them,” said Favela Apodaca as she accepted her award.
The 2016 class of Best Teachers also included: Ray Black, Ethnic Studies, College of Liberal Arts; Marisa Bunning (Ph.D. ’07), Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Health and Human Sciences; Chuchang Chiu, Foreign Language and Literature, College of Liberal Arts; Tod R. Clapp (B.S. ’96, M.S. ’99, Ph.D. ’04), Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; and Temple Grandin, Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences.
Congratulations!
Just a few of the MANY Facebook well-wishes from Professor Favela Apodaca's students
I was truly blessed to have such an incredible opportunity tonight! I got to introduce this absolutely amazing woman while she received teacher of the year award! I am so honored to be in the presence of such an incredible teacher who has left an impact on such a large group of people! I thank God every day that he brought you into my life! Congratulations on the award you truly deserve! Thank you for leaving such an impact on my father and me! I love you so much!
~ Monica Fowlkes, Agricultural Sciences Major
I just want to say congratulations to one of my favorite teachers. You inspired me to continue playing music and enter the education field. Thank you for an amazing experience in your class. You deserve every inch of that award. You are an inspiration to many.
~ Anastasia Thibodeau, English Major
Denise Favela Apodaca is truly an inspiring individual and an all-around amazing person. I am blessed to have such her as not only a teacher but also a friend. This is an amazing honor that goes to a truly well-deserved teacher. You have made such an impact and are a true role model. Congratulations! CSU is lucky to have you!
~ Cole Wise-Roth, Political Science Major
So glad I was able to attend the Best Teachers Award ceremony tonight in support of this beautiful woman! Denise is by far one of the most incredible teaches I've ever had. She's is so passionate with her education and goes above and beyond when it comes to making connections with her students. You are such a blessing and have given me undoubted belief in myself as a musician, as well as inspired me to be the kindest, best person I can be every single day. Thank you for gracing this world with your outstanding talents and your beautiful, kind heart. I love you dearly!
~ Natalia Cavaliere, Communication Studies Major
Much deserved, because this is truly one of the best professors I've ever had! This beautiful human teaches Music Appreciation and she FILLS big lecture halls with students in the class three days a week, which is not something you see every day in college. Students look forward to her class and her fun attitude towards teaching and that is the way it should be! Love love love you Professor Apodaca. Congratulations!
~ Karly Kochevar, Biomedical Sciences Major