Posted April 28, 2011
For Ibrahim, listening is key to ‘learning from the learner’
Listening to Jennifer Ibrahim passionately talk about the ins and outs of health policy, it’s easy to understand why her students are fired up to tackle issues like tobacco control and food safety laws.
“Policy isn’t just about passing a law. We look at how it’s being developed, implemented and how we can evaluate it,” said Ibrahim, an assistant professor of public health in the College of Health Professions and Social Work and Beasley School of Law, and associate director of the Public Health Law Research Program at the Beasley School of Law.
“[Class] is not a passive sport where you just sit and listen. Debates and discussions help me check to see where my students are with regard to the materials and how I can tailor it to their needs,” she said.
For her unwavering commitment to improving her students’ experience at Temple, Ibrahim has earned the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching.
“Her enthusiasm is contagious in the classroom,” said Christen Rexing, a doctoral candidate in the university’s public health department. “She really cares about what she’s teaching. She’s definitely inspired the professor that I want to become.”
Rexing, a research assistant for Ibrahim for five years, said Ibrahim let her help create an undergraduate course in health policy after she expressed interest in gaining more teaching experience. “You don’t always get an opportunity like that. She goes above and beyond for her students,” she said.
As a professor, advisor and mentor, Ibrahim believes in listening to her students in a continuous effort to “learn from the learner.”
“The teaching experience isn’t about me, it’s about them learning,” she said. “I’m constantly learning from my students. It’s also a great way for them to feel they’re contributing to the class. I don’t take the ‘I know more than you’ approach. I will never have all the answers ... That’s why I’m always open to students bringing new experiences and perspectives.”
For students, that means Ibrahim takes the time to find out more about their interests as she draws on examples from her own research in courses such as “Research Methods.”
“She’s an impressive researcher and dedicated teacher, and makes herself approachable to her students,” said Evan D. Anderson, a doctoral candidate in the university’s Public Health Department and senior legal fellow at Public Health Law Research. “I feel I can be a better consumer of research and apply these skills in my own work.”
Outside of the classroom, Ibrahim led the way in forming Temple’s chapter of Delta Omega, an honor society for public health graduate students, and a graduate student council that gives public health graduate students a more formal way to voice any concerns.
She also has revamped and created public health policy courses, developed a joint master of public health and juris doctor degree, and is working on a health policy concentration within the existing MPH program.
“It’s my responsibility and privilege to give my students all that I can offer,” said Ibrahim.“Regardless of the specific content, I hope my students walk out of the classroom with a love for learning. That would make me feel like I’ve done a good job.”
—Anna Nguyen