Congratulations to Dr. Ritt Deitz for receiving one of this year’s Academic Staff Teaching Excellence Awards.
Ritt Deitz, Distinguished Teaching Faculty, Department of French & Italian
Ritt Deitz is many unusual things: A commissioned Kentucky Colonel. A French Knight in the Order of Academic Palms. A novelist. A 26-year instructional team member in the Department of French & Italian.
To his students, however, he’s simply one of the most impactful teachers under which they’ve ever had the delight to learn.
“Ritt stands out as a stellar pedagogue who fosters a safe, inclusive and intellectually stimulating classroom environment,” says Florence Vatan, professor of French and chair of the department. “A passionate advocate for liberal arts education and the Wisconsin Idea, he has developed a teaching style that inspires and empowers students, helping them gain confidence and a deeper sense of purpose. He encourages students to reflect on the value of their education and the positive contributions they can make to their communities and the world.”
Deitz teaches several signature classes in the department, including a newly created course on exploring Quebec and Montreal. His students adore his teaching style, which focuses on finding an array of ways to encourage participation and active learning above and beyond simply speaking up in class. He asks his students to compose handwritten letters and gives the ones who don’t feel comfortable speaking in front of a crowd the opportunity to leave observational notes about the class material. He often incorporates his love of music, film and literature into his curriculum, adding additional dimensions to the experience.
Both current and former students are inspired by his skills as a teacher. As a recent student put it, “For the first time in my life, I felt comfortable and confident presenting my end of the semester research project in front of my classmates.”