SAN BERNARDINO>> Susan Jindra, a full-time instructor in Cal State San Bernardino’s Educational Leadership and Technology Department, has been named the university’s Outstanding Lecturer for 2016-17. Jindra, who joined CSUSB in 2008, was teaching her class on fiscal planning and facilities management early Tuesday evening, April 11, when CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales, accompanied by administrators, selection committee members and fellow faculty members barged into her classroom to make the surprise announcement that she had won the award.
“We just really want to thank you for being such a great teacher, being a compassionate teacher and just doing a tremendous job for us,” Morales told her. “You are a tremendous asset to CSUSB.” A smiling Jindra joked, “Am I in a dream or is this really happening?” Professor Wil Greer, who is also in the Educational Leadership and Technology Department, called Jindra a role model.
“I’ve seen Dr. Jindra over and over again go to the farthest reaches of the IE (Inland Empire) to recruit students, to make sure they are supported, (go) to the farthest corners of the Coachella Valley to make sure students can get into the (Ed.D.) program,” Greer said. “You shake all of the trees, Susan. You don’t leave any stones unturned and you are just relentless in your pursuit to not just find students but to help make sure that they graduate, and I think that is exemplary. You are definitely a model. You work super hard.”
Jindra thanked her visitors. “I just really enjoy working with everyone, with all my colleagues, students both in the M.A. and the doctorate program because my goal has been to help others to reach their dreams whatever they are and wherever you want to go on your educational journey,” Jindra said. “I’ve enjoyed mine, and I keep on working and I enjoy it a lot. “ Earlier Morales said lecturers play a crucial role in the university and that Jindra was a great choice for the award.
“Our university relies on the talent and devotion of lecturers as we provide our students a rich and rigorous education replete with skilled, experienced teachers,” Morales said. “As a full-time instructor, Susan Jindra brings tremendous knowledge and inspiration into the classroom. She also is passionate about working with our students and being an engaged member of our faculty and the community. She is a splendid choice as this year’s Outstanding Lecturer.”
In a letter to the president, the outstanding faculty nominating committee said Jindra’s “colleagues and students greatly benefit from her 13 years of experience as a teacher in the Riverside Unified School District and her 21 years of experience as an administrator in the Jurupa, Yucaipa-Calimesa, Moreno Valley, and Perris Union School Districts.
She is a lifelong educator, a devoted community servant, and a tremendous asset to CSUSB.” One nominator praised Jindra as “a hard-working, inspirational, collegial, and kind¬hearted faculty member who has long exemplified a high level of commitment to education and to the CSUSB community. ... She is an exceptional teacher, and we are proud to have her as part of the faculty in the Educational Leadership and Technology Department."
Another nominator said "Dr. Jindra is a true professional, going the distance to assist our students to meet their educational goals." Yet another nominator put it succinctly: "She is a consummate, dedicated professional." Jindra has taught 11 different courses in educational administration. Comments from her students attest to the impact she has had on them.
One student wrote, “Dr. Jindra is very supportive of all of us in class and takes a vested interest in our future," while another wrote, "This professor is enthusiastic and genuinely concerned about the students she teaches." Another said, "Dr. Jindra is a great professor!" and a final student said Jindra "is awesome." - Along with teaching, Jindra is coordinator of the educational administration program, has attended several regional and national conferences on subjects such as educational leadership and curriculum development, and is a sought-after student adviser.
She has also served on the College of Education Research Symposium Committee, the COE Building Dedication Committee, the CSUSB Ed.D. Recruitment Committee, and has held the position of COE Sponsored Event Facilitator. In addition, she is the director of the Riverside Community College District Friends of Forensics, whose focus is to provide K-12 students with speech presentation opportunities. In this capacity, she works with college administrators, representatives from several school districts, and community members to make this opportunity available for our Inland Empire community.
She is vice president of the newly-formed Community Foundation of Yucaipa Valley, is a member of the Riverside Community College Associates, and is a reviewer for publications for the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration. She has previously taken part in outreach with the Jurupa Valley Lions Club, been a reader for Read Across America Celebration at Bear Valley Elementary School, participated in a Moreno Valley College event honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, and represented CSUSB at a "Celebrating Educators" event sponsored by the Riverside County Office of Education Jindra received a bachelor’s degree in music and German and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, both from the University of California, Riverside, and earned a master of science in library science and an educational doctorate in educational leadership, both from the University of Southern California.