![\"Baylor](\"https:\/\/www2.baylor.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Laine-Scales.jpg\")
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In August, Baylor Interim President David Garland announced three professors who have earned the designation of Master Teacher<\/a> \u2013 one of the highest honors given to Baylor faculty members. One of these new Master Teachers is Dr. Laine Scales<\/a>,\u00a0a long-time Baylor social work and education professor\u00a0and\u00a0associate dean in\u00a0the\u00a0Baylor Graduate School<\/a>.<\/p>\n Being named a Master Teacher is no small feat. It requires proven knowledge and use of effective teaching methods, plus active advocacy for teaching and learning. On top of that, it\u2019s only awarded to professors who have been at Baylor for 10 years or more — a proven commitment to teaching excellence.<\/p>\n One look at Scales\u2019 teaching philosophy, and you\u2019ll see why she was a no-brainer for such an\u00a0honor. She makes it a point to incorporate critical thinking and teach with an international perspective. That means that instead of regurgitating lessons from the professor\u2019s perspective, Scales\u2019 students debate among themselves, critique each other\u2019s work, and question established educational theories. \u201cSometimes students resist this responsibility in the classroom and beg in frustration, \u2018Just tell us the answers!\u2019\u201d she says. \u201cHowever, I believe that helping students learn how to learn is the responsibility of a good teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n Outside the classroom, she\u2019s still focused on creating learning communities. As dean of the Graduate School, she loves mentoring and advising students — and she knows that means so much more than just telling them what classes to take. And to encourage even the professors to learn, she spearheaded a program of teaching circles within the School of Social Work, which led to the university-wide Teaching Commons<\/a>.<\/p>\n