As Becky Brooks interpreted the Phi Theta Kappa Professor of the Year announcement during Ohio University Lancaster’s Honors Convocation, she realized she was about to receive the award.
            PTK member Blake Allen noted Brooks’ devotion to teaching, her ability to motivate students and interact with them, and that “sharing her appreciation for all cultures may be the biggest accomplishment.” That’s when the instructor of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences seemed to hesitate, and then continued signing to the audience.        

“A deaf person in the audience told me later that he saw it register on my face. I didn’t want to step out of my role; it takes a long time to finish a thought,” Brooks said.
Although she knew of her nomination, Brooks is honored to have been selected by the students. “I know the amazing teachers we have here. I see the caliber of teaching,” she said, referring to the many lectures she interprets for the hearing impaired students.
Brooks acknowledged that she brings a strong cultural component to the classroom. She encourages her students and inspires them to examine their beliefs, to become aware of cultural differences and to develop an awareness of self. “I want them to think about what they believe and why and to realize the biases and stereotypes and to begin deconstructing them.”
She has inspired some of her American Sign Language students to follow her into careers as interpreters. “She’s so passionate about teaching ASL, and that passion rubs off on us,” said one student. “It’s hard to learn a new language, but she’s very patient. It’s because of Becky that we’re going on.”
Students also appreciate the concern and understanding she conveys. As a nontraditional student, she earned the Interpreting and Transliteration degree at Columbus State Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies at the Lancaster Campus, and a master’s degree in Communication Studies at Ohio University, while raising her children. Her doctoral thesis focuses on deaf college students’ experiences in higher education.
For Brooks, part of the reward comes in observing her students assimilate into the deaf community as they attend socials and events. “It’s amazing to watch them apply what they have learned to real world settings. I love watching students grow.”