On June 14th, Dr. Robert Smith (known to most as “Smitty”) will receive American Public University System’s 2014 Faculty Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award for the School of Security and Global Studies. Smitty teaches courses in intelligence, national security, and military science studies.
“I love teaching at APUS,” he said, “It’s a lot of work, but there are no IEDs, so life is good and easy.”
Smitty, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, spent more than 31 years working as an armor officer, logistician, military intelligence officer, and engineering officer. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he was recalled to active duty, serving as the lead Army military historian for the U.S. Army Center of Military History and charged with collecting information about the attack on the Pentagon. He conducted more than 550 interviews on the Pentagon attacks and collected key documents that were used in the Department of Justice (DOJ) trial of 20 terrorists.
Shortly after that assignment, he was deployed to Iraq as the lead historian and record collector for the V (Fifth) Corps, documenting its role in the initial invasion of Iraq. During his deployment, he was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
Since then, Smitty has turned much of his energy and experience toward teaching at APUS. “Teaching keeps me intellectually fresh and happy,” he said. It is energizing for him to be active in the classroom and have the opportunity to share his knowledge with students.
He spends nearly every day in the classroom, whether he’s responding to students or posting new information about relevant current events. “I’ve had a number of students tell me that they had more interaction with me in the online classroom than they had with professors in brick and mortar classes,” he said.
His philosophy for teaching has similarities to the Golden Rule: Teach the way he would want to be taught. The keys that have helped him be successful include:
- Discipline. He checks the classroom message boards first thing every day and the last thing every night. “Things come up with students and I want to be sure I’m addressing them immediately,” he said.
- Organization. You have to plan your schedule around assignments so papers can be graded and returned to students in a timely fashion.
- Empathy. Since the majority of his students are adult learners, Smitty understands that things come up. “The majority of my students are goal-oriented and want to be there and want to complete their assignments on time, but sometimes life happens,” he said. When situations arise, he works with students to come up with solution so they can successfully complete courses.
Smitty’s program director, Dr. Edward Hagerty, said Smitty is one of the most dedicated teachers he’s seen during his 20-year tenure at APUS.
“Being able to convey enthusiasm and knowledge in an asynchronous online classroom is a real art,” said Dr. Hagerty, “and Smitty has mastered it.”
Smitty routinely receives very positive feedback from students, who often mention his consistently high level of engagement and interaction in the classroom. In addition, Smitty always steps up and volunteers to do what needs to be done, said Dr. Hagerty.
“He’s been indispensable in making improvements to many courses and creating a dynamic and friendly classroom environment for his students,” he said. “His teaching philosophy and the incredible energy he brings to the classroom helps ensure his success and he is well deserving of this year’s teaching excellence award.”
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