Endorsements, Commendations… Testimonials
Over many years of teaching and developing programs, I’ve received a lot of feedback from students and colleagues. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help so many and also share their comments with you.
Comments from Colleagues
In her work at UNR, Kim has demonstrated a unique combination of intellect and humanness.
She transforms people’s hearts and minds through her university teaching and service.
I would venture to say that she is one of the very best teachers in our entire college. Kim deeply understands how to work effectively with students. Kim consistently receives the highest possible scores from her students. Her students characterize her classes as very difficult and challenging but extremely rewarding. The students consistently talk about Kim as one of their very best professors.
It has been an honor to work alongside such a dedicated professional in the field of teacher preparation.
Comments that I hear from our students, regarding Dr. O’Reilly, truly set the context of her stature here in the College of Education. Words such as “caring, compassionate, always available, most helpful, fair and consistent, and a great teacher” name but a few. The list, in truth, goes on much longer. An impressive collection in light of her developing seven different courses in total while teaching four classes each semester.
Her skills in advising, guiding, writing, editing, and presentation are at the top of our faculty. Truthfully, there are none finer in higher education than Kim O’Reilly.
Kim O’Reilly lives what she teaches, walks what she talks about in her courses: respect for all people.
She brings a calming influence to meetings with her ability to get people to air ideas and not focus on personalities or differences of style.
She can questions without offending, and point out where agreement can lead to collaboration.
Her sense of doing what is best for all, as well as her good humor, help us all work more cooperatively and positively.
Comments from Workshop Participants and Students
I am humbled after taking this class. I am slowly breaking the mindset of American supremacy that I didn’t even know I had.
Dr. O’Reilly is one of the best, if not THE best, professors that I’ve ever had. She made coming to class fun and interesting! I learned so much from her and am even more inspired to teacher! I would recommend her to anyone and would take her for every class that she teacher.
Dr. O’Reilly helps students to look at all possible situations a teacher can encounter in a classroom. She teaches good ideas on how to teach fairly and with great diversity. I cannot say enough great things about Dr. O’Reilly. I have taken 2 courses with her at UNR. She is organized, smart, compassionate, and a great teacher.
She is a great instructor and takes into consideration all of her students’ values and opinions. She has a love for teaching – and you can tell in her lessons which made more engaged in learning the material.
Dr. O’Reilly is an amazing instructor. She is very knowledgeable ad passionate about what she teaches. I only wish the education program had more instructors like her! Thanks for all of the help!
This class was full of fun and energy!
Dr. O’Reilly is awesome! She is so knowledgeable about the subject matter and got me to think. She is insightful and just a great motivator.
I am more open-minded. Before this class, I was prejudice against some of the people talked about. Now I’m not.
I really enjoyed this class. You can tell that Dr. O’Reilly is passionate about the subject. Great professor.
Amazing professor!
Dr. O’Reilly is definitely one of the best instructors I have ever had. She presents controversial information in a respectful manner and respects individual opinions in class.
I have been absolutely inspired by this class and will keep this feeling with me into teaching.
Absolutely one of the best classes I have ever taken. Thought provoking. Excellent instructor.
She presented both sides of every issue. Great teacher!
Excellent professor. Thanks for all of the interesting topics/discussions. Great primary sources were used. Can’t wait to have you for the capstone class next semester.
Comments from Graduate Students
I was a graduate student in the Masters of Education program at UNR and had the privilege of taking two courses taught by Dr. O’Reilly. As a woman in my early 40’s, having earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology and recently retired from the military, I was sure that my beliefs and what I valued were well thought out and justified. Therefore, I began her classes with the thought that I would learn only about pedagogy and curriculum. However, I learned so much more.
Dr. O’Reilly wanted us to think about our thinking, to think critically, and would often say, “Think about what you value.” She never told us “what” to think about issues such as racism, sexism, homophobism, and bullying, and how they would impact our students, nor did she tell us her personal views. Rather, she diplomatically challenged us to look at these issues through a critical lens as they related to what we valued, and I found my own beliefs and values affected greatly.
The assignments challenged me to think deeply on subjects about which I had already made up my mind – to step away from my thoughts and evaluate them critically. This process has had a great impact on not just my teaching, but on my life.