Governor’s School English instructor named top four literature professors in the US
April 11, 2012
GREENVILLE, SC – April 11, 2012 – South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH) English instructor Mark Sibley-Jones is one of the four best literature professors in the United States, according to “The Best 300 Professors” by The Princeton Review and RateMyProfessors.com. He is one of 16 professors recognized in South Carolina.
The comprehensive guidebook to America’s top undergraduate professors profiles teachers from 122 colleges in 60 fields based on surveys by Princeton Review and ratings on RateMyProfessors.com.
“There are many factors that influence one’s teaching, including institutional support, student interest, students’ curiosity, and the willingness of students to master difficult material,” says Sibley-Jones about this recognition. “I have been fortunate to teach at three excellent institutions throughout my academic career: The University of South Carolina, the South Carolina Honors College, and the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. My colleagues at all of those places have been wonderfully helpful to me, providing me with instruction about how to teach and offering support whenever I need it.”
Sibley-Jones does not just rely on a student’s innate interest in the material. From trying a disastrous pirouette during an essay discussion or artfully engaging a class during a long reading, he recognizes that students appreciate innovative approaches to a lesson. Consequently, his students reflect a passion for literature.
Since this achievement is determined exclusively by student rankings,” says Julie Allen, SCGSAH Dean and Vice President of Arts and Academics. “It seems to demonstrate that students really value the enthusiasm for literature that Mark brings to the classroom.
Sibley-Jones currently teaches English and AP English Language. Prior to joining SCGSAH, he taught at USC-Columbia for fifteen years. From 2002 to 2006, he taught English Literature at the South Carolina Honors College and advised students across a number of academic disciplines.
“This recognition for Mark comes as no surprise to us, as we know him to be an inspiring and dedicated instructor,” says Dr. Bruce Halverson, President of SCGSAH. “Our hope is for this listing to further illustrate the high caliber of academics we provide at The Governor’s School, in addition to an exceptional arts education.”
The other literature professors listed were John Gordon, Connecticut College; Joseph Lauinger, Sarah Lawrence College; and Karen Sullivan, Bard College.
The South Carolina professors listed were Devon W. Hanahan, Foreign Language (Spanish); Martin Jones, Mathematics; Paul Christopher Anderson, History; Robert Kosinski, Biology; Robin Kowalski, Psychology; Karen A. Pressprich, Chemistry; Stephen Schvaneveld, Chemistry; Bradford R. Collins, Art (History); Tom Hughes, Business Law; Mariah Lynch, Accounting; David Bost, Foreign Language (Spanish); Charles L. Brewer, Psychology; Timothy Fehler, History; Margaret Oakes, English; and Charlie Bass, Chemistry.
The Princeton Review developed the project in partnership with RateMyProfessors.com and selected the professors in the book based on qualitative and quantitative data from survey findings and ratings collected by both organizations. From among 42,000 professors, a base list of 1,000 professors was formed. After obtaining further input from school administrators and students, as well as from Princeton Review’s surveys of the professors under consideration, the editors of The Princeton Review made the final choices of the professors they profile in the book.
The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University and is not a magazine.
Neither the professors nor the colleges are ranked in this book.
