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����ֱ�� announced today the first two recipients of its distinguished teaching award. They are Peabody resident Peter Sampieri, assistant professor in the theatre and speech communication department, and Gloucester resident Ann Ziergiebel, a visiting instructor in the university’s School of Education.

The award publicly acknowledges the core mission of the university by recognizing those faculty members who have profoundly inspired and engaged its students. Although only two faculty members will be recognized each year—one tenured or tenure-track and one non-tenure track—the award is meant to honor all educators at Salem State who are committed to teaching excellence. As Sampieri noted when told of his award, “"I'm honored and humbled by receiving this teaching award because I feel there are so many of my colleagues at Salem State who deserve it more. The university is literally bursting with incredible professors, scholars and artists—and they are all distinguished teachers too."

Peter Sampieri teaches directing in the theatre department and is a faculty fellow for the university’s First Year Experience. In 2014, he was the recipient of three national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for his original play Kafka in Tel Aviv, including outstanding direction of a new work, distinguished achievement in the production of a new work and the David Mark Cohen National Playwriting Award. Outside the university, he is a professional stage director, playwright, puppeteer, and musician.

According to his students, “You can tell Peter Sampieri loves teaching as soon as he starts his class. He is so engaging and willing to listen to all of his students and always uses positive reinforcement in his teaching. He is organized, attentive and caring. His classes are easily the best ones I've taken in my four years at Salem State.”

Ann Mechem Ziergiebel is a visiting instructor in secondary and higher education and is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational studies at Lesley University. Her area of focus is equity of voice for middle school students across academic disciplines. Prior to teaching at Salem State, she taught middle school social studies and humanities in the Gloucester public schools for 23 years.

One of Ann’s students nicely summarized what was apparent throughout her teaching portfolio: “Professor Ziergiebel uses a great variety of learning perspectives and activities so everyone can be involved and learn the material in their own way. She is a great professor who values learning and students' opinions.”

Professors Sampieri and Ziergiebel will be recognized at commencement ceremonies next month and more formally at convocation in September 2015. Should they choose to do so, they will also represent Salem State as candidates for the U.S. Professor of the Year Awards Program.

April 16, 2015