Savannah Chorn

Spring 2026 Winner

Savannah Chorn’s teaching philosophy centers on fostering intellectual humility, active listening, and an inclusive classroom environment where diverse student needs and learning styles are thoughtfully supported. In her English 1310 Research Writing courses, she initiates the semester with an "anti-debate" exercise designed to prioritize empathy, thoughtful questioning, and understanding contrasting perspectives over immediate argumentation. Committed to responsive and adaptable pedagogy, Chorn implemented a flipped classroom model—recording lectures for students to review at their own pace—and conducts mandatory one-on-one conferences at least twice per semester to build strong rapport and make writing critique less daunting. She also utilizes structured, multi-tiered discussion models (individual reflection, small group dialogue, and full-class sharing) to engage both introverted and extroverted learners. "From my many conversations with Savannah, I know teaching is her passion and it shows from inside the classroom, " comments Dr. Kristen Pond, Associate Professor of English.

Her dedication to pedagogical excellence is demonstrated through extensive voluntary training, faculty mentorship, and departmental engagement. Chorn actively sought out mentoring from faculty and advanced peers, collaborating with Dr. Nicole Kenley to refine flipped classroom strategies and working alongside Dr. Kristen Pond as a volunteer intern in an upper-level literature course. Her professional development includes participating in the Christian Poetics Initiative Plenary Conference on integrating faith into pedagogical research and practice, presenting in departmental Teaching Literature Colloquia, attending workshops on student engagement and library special collections integration, and mentoring new Teacher of Record (TOR) colleagues across multiple semesters.

What Students Say

This was a class that some might call boring or unnecessary because writing is not particularly of interest to them, but taking Professor Chorn's class allowed me to deeply appreciate and enjoy the research and writing process.