SUNY Online Teaching Ambassador 2021: Buffalo – Jessica Kruger

Jessica Kruger

Jessica S. Kruger, Ph.D is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University at Buffalo in the School of Public Health and Health Professions. Jessica also serves the school as the Interim Coordinator for Teaching Innovation and Excellence. Jessica’s research focuses on pedagogy in public health along with consumption behaviors. She focuses her pedagogy research on Open Educational Resources (OER) and innovative teaching strategies.

In recognition of her work towards teaching and learning, Jessica was awarded the Milton Pleasure Award in 2018-2019 for Excellence in Teaching by students at the University. In the School of Public Health and Health Professions, she was awarded the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award.  She was honored with the SUNY Faculty Advisory Council on Teaching and Technology Excellence in Instruction Award for State-Operated and Statutory Campuses for 2019. Jessica has also been praised for her innovative teaching with the 2019-2020 Teaching Innovation Award from the University at Buffalo.

Jessica earned her Ph.D. in Health Education with a cognate in Psychology from the University of Toledo and an M.S. in Health Education.

Teaching is both an art and a science. I believe that learning is a process and that not everyone starts with the same level of information or possesses the same types of skills. As an instructor, I aim to help students move through scholarship by utilizing technology and innovative teaching methods. Learning should be enjoyable; if you are not enjoying what you do or what you are learning, you are less likely to remember the subject or synthesize the material. I aim to create an environment that is welcoming and comfortable for all students. I do this by implementing inclusive pedagogy practices. Some examples of this include diverse voices in the content covered and creating varied assessments and choices to highlight students’ strengths. I want students to be empowered to ask tough questions and not be worried about failing the course.