The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is pleased to congratulate Graduate Teaching Scholar member William Moore on being awarded the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise's Houston Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship, given by the HNFE department, recognizes a graduate teaching assistant who has shown a passion for teaching and is committed to student learning.

Will has been a member of the GTS program since the fall of 2014. The program allows students to enhance their teaching skills and better understand pedagogical practices. Will enjoys being a TA because he feels that this position allows him to connect with students on a more open and candid level. This allows him to understand the student’s thoughts on the material and to find better avenues of instruction through this unique relationship. Will has served as a TA for the Metabolic Nutrition course at Virginia Tech in the HNFE department, as well as several courses during his time at Kansas State University.

When asked about his advice to other TA’s, he says “I stand by the rule-of-thumb that basically says, ‘find something you're passionate about and then figure out how to get paid for it.’ I guess what I'm saying is, make sure you enjoy teaching. If you do, your passion will shine through you”. Will believes in promoting a safe, welcoming and student-centered classroom. He encourages others to not just talk to the students, but also listen as well. Will states “I am a strong proponent of humor in the classroom, doing so will elicit laughter, allow the students a moment to relax, and give them the opportunity to reengage the material with a fresh set of eyes and a clear mind.”

Regarding the scholarship award, Will is honored to be the recipient, as the award namesake, Dr. Houston is largely responsible for shaping the current success of the HNFE department’s research and educational missions. Will states that he is honored to be part of such a wonderful department and to be associated with such an extraordinary leader. He plans to graduate in 2016 and to pursue a career in both teaching and research. He says no matter where his career path leads, he will continue in the ways of Virginia Tech’s motto, “Ut Prosim”.