Moore Receives Teaching Excellence Award

Clinical Visiting Assistant Professor Lisa Moore has been awarded the 2011 School of Social Work Teaching Excellence Award. She will receive the award at the School’s commencement ceremony on Friday, May 20.

“I was drawn to teaching social work because there are few things in the world more important that providing a forum for individuals to learn how to effectively communicate with people who confront a range of challenges,” Moore said. “Teaching social work demands the application of theory, practice, and research in a way that directly influences the lives of others. I value the work I do because I enjoy engaging with students and appreciate the constant stimulation of the classroom.”

The School of Social Work Teaching Excellence Award is determined by anonymous voting by current SSW students. Students were asked to vote for one faculty member, and comment on their teaching.

“(Professor Moore) has worked with a variety of populations and has been able to share those experiences in a way that is applicable to the material of the class,” one student wrote. “She makes all students feel welcome and feel that their input is important and valuable to the class.”

Moore teaches foundation courses to first-year master’s students, and serves as a faculty advisor and field liaison to clinical placement students throughout greater Boston.

In addition to her academic experience, Moore has social work experience as a professional social worker and in building a private practice. As an on-call social worker at DaVita Dialysis, Inc., Moore provides support, counseling, and case management to dialysis patients and families in Boston-area clinics throughout Boston and surrounding areas. Moore is also building a private practice focused on serving adolescents, college-aged students, and adults that addresses transgender identity, sexual reassignment surgeries, sexual abuse, and depression.

“Teaching foundations of clinical practice and assessment and intervention with individuals, families, and groups, as well as Implications of Racism in Social Work Practice each present opportunities to work with students when they are in the stage of trying to determine what type of social work practice they are going to engage,” said Moore. “Working with students who are exploring the range of opportunities that an MSW can offer is very exciting. I appreciate being a part of their learning experience.”

In addition to Moore’s selection, Clinical Assistant Professor Mark Gianino has been selected as reader, Assistant Professor Luz Lopez and Clinical Professor Lee Staples as hooders, and Clinical Associate Professor Janice Furlong as Marshal.

Morrigan Phillips (MSW, Macro Practice) will serve as student speaker for the Charles River Campus, and Ralph Cahoon III (MSW, Clinical Practice) will serve as student speaker for Off Campus Programs.

–Mackenzie Kreitler