“I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.” – Socrates
“The best thing about being a teacher is that it matters. The hardest thing about being a teacher is that it matters every day.” -Todd Whitaker
We are a law school that is student-centered. That would not be possible without our outstanding Cleveland-Marshall faculty. Our faculty members offer a level of accessibility, support, encouragement, and interaction that many law schools don’t offer.
Not a week goes by without my hearing positive stories and receiving positive emails and notes from students and alumni about our outstanding faculty. I enjoy sharing some of them from time to time.
Professor Heidi Gorovitz Robertson
“Professor Robertson, I feel so lucky to have had you in my first year of law school and I will never forget you. I was so nervous, confused and unsure in my first year, but you always encouraged me, guided me and believed in me. It means a lot to me….It is almost the end of my second year, and I think I am more confident and can see more clearly my path of becoming a lawyer….I am feeling so excited and positive about my future….I know I couldn't have done this without you…”
Professor Claire May
“Professor May…you worked with me to help turn one of my bigger weaknesses into something I now consider a strength. Since then, you took a chance on me as your tutor, and I've been able to work on my writing instruction and attempt to give back to the students the same help and assistance that you provided me. I know as writers that we can always improve, but you've helped lay the foundation for both my legal writing skills and my ability to teach the skills to others.”
Professor Doron Kalir
“Professor Kalir, I would like to let you know that my lack of asking questions in class is not due to my lack of understanding the material. I believe you are doing a great job explaining the important points of each case. I especially like that you force us to always think in the Article I, II, III paradigm…I also very much enjoy that the study material is closely related to current political and legal events.”
Professor Matthew Green
“When I talk about my experiences at Cleveland-Marshall to others, one of the first things that I mention is my experience with Professor Green ….In the beginning of my 1L year, I remember being incredibly frustrated with the challenges of shifting my pattern of thinking to the legal model. Professor Green was instrumental in helping me make that shift. Through his use of hypotheticals and his collaborative teaching style, I felt like I was part of a legal team before I even finished my first semester….. Professor Green's classes have always forced me to look at the big picture and answer the big questions: What should be the function of the law in our society? What is my opinion of fairness in the legal process? Where will I stand as an attorney in actualizing that goal? Professor Green navigates students through the legal system with the guiding principles of compassion, patience, and inclusivity...I simply owe much of my understanding of the law, and of myself as a future attorney, to Professor Green.”
Professor Pam Daiker-Middaugh and Mary Jane McGinty, Director of Bar Exam Preparation
“Professor Daiker-Middaugh and Mary Jane, I want to send a quick thank you for your support at the February bar exam. It is such a relief knowing you are there for us and support us in any way possible from food, to Tylenol, to whatever we need to get us through the days. I met another examinee yesterday from a different Ohio law school and she made the comment how lucky I was to have such a school that cares so much about its students that it sends not one but two professors to support their bar examinees.”
Professor Sandra Kerber
“Sandra, I am writing to tell you about a former student who had wonderful things to say about you... She credits her success to you who she called a "transformational" teacher. She said that Sandra Kerber was and is the best professor that she has ever had.” -Professor Carole Heyward
Professor Milena Sterio (Professor Sterio recently ran in the Boston Marathon. When she returned, she told me this story).
“This morning, my Civil Procedure students brought a cake for me, to congratulate me for running the Boston Marathon….One of my students explained to everyone the marathon course and "Heartbreak Hill" (which comes at mile 20, after three other difficult hills). He then drew themselves as entering the hills (starting law school/professional life) and me on the other side of Heartbreak Hill, as someone who has already conquered all this. The cake itself depicts all of this. I am so moved and touched by the students' kindness, but also by their maturity…”
About Cleveland-Marshall
“Dean Fisher, emails like this serve as a constant reminder as to why I consider it a privilege and honor to attend Cleveland Marshall, where so many legends came before me….These constant reminders impose upon us the duty to remember we are a reflection of you, and everyone who was bestowed the privilege to attend C|M|LAW. Cleveland Marshall has given me an opportunity to learn the law, and one day live justice. As you stated, Cleveland-Marshall is not just my law school for these next couple years, but my law school for life.”
Have a great week.
For copies of past messages, please go to this link: Monday Morning Messages.
My best,
Lee
My views in all my Monday Morning Messages are my personal views alone and do not reflect the views of our Law School or our University.