Faculty Comments

“As a credentialed teacher, with a Masters degree in Education, I appreciate Debby’s organizational skills. At the onset of each semester, she detailed in a concise and clear manner, the goals and mission of each course…She was always available and willing to help and her enthusiasm and excitement toward the subject matter were quite contagious”
-Irena Geshuri, M.A.

“With Debby’s help, there is an ever increasing number of faculty and students who are embracing the wonders of computer technology for their professional gain or personal satisfaction.”
-Kathleen Bennett, Dean of Learning, Porterville College

“She is a creative thinker, an enthusiastic leader, and a real ‘people person’ who is always willing to assist others.”
-Ted Wise, Language Arts Professor, Porterville College

“Debby’s knowledge of mediated instruction and distance education pedagogy is impressive. She understands and embraces the value of constructed knowledge, advocates and produces communities both in her classes and among her colleagues, and strives to better herself through shared interactions with others.”
-Ben Meredith, Professor of Political Science and History

“Students have consistently praised Debby’s classes as we discuss computers and the Internet. They respond to her enthusiasm, patience, and expertise. Many Porterville College instructors have taken her classes and have gained additional technological skills.”
-Linda Bailey, Reference Librarian, Porterville College

“Debby is a personal, supportive, and intelligent instructor to both students and professors here at Porterville College … She is a cheerleader for increased online teaching.”
-Joel Wiens, Associate Professor, Science, Porterville College

"I most recently was involved with Debby as a participant in the piloting of the proposed new faculty evaluation processes. As part of that pilot project, I had the opportunity to review one of her online courses. It was very well done and showed strong evidence of content mastery, as well as a comprehensive understanding of appropriate online pedagogy."
-Greg Chamberlain, Dean of Learning Resources and Information Technology, Bakersfield College

"I have known Debby for more that 3 years and can unequivocally attest to her enthusiasm, integrity, and ability. I have personally observed Ms. Kilburn in a variety of settings, from small group to large lectures, and have always been impressed with the content of her materials, with her clear communication methods, and the personal concern and empathy she conveys in her delivery."
-Dr. Ronald Glahn, Academic Senate President, Porterville College

"Part of the reason Debby has transformed the status of technology and teaching on this campus is her remarkable ability to work well with anyone under almost any circumstances. She is equally good working with students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Debby leads with her enthusiasm, and as a result, she has many followers. I have seen computer-phobic faculty members develop hybrid classes and experience the joy of having such a successful teaching medium. This absolutely would not have happened without Debby's guidance."
-Kathleen Bennett, Dean of Learning, Porterville College

"In the time I have worked with Debby, she has continually impressed me with her deep grasp of what students need in order to succeed, in both on-campus and on-line courses. She has the ability to develop course structure and a community of students as well as support online faculty and build a working community among them. She has demonstrated a commitment to student learning through her active support of student achievement both in and outside of class... I have had the opportunity to both observe Debby teaching and be a student in one of her training sessions. She has the ability to take a difficult subject and communicate it to even the most technically challenged student while not making them feel inadequate. At the same time, she can hold the interest of the most advanced students in the same class. Her teaching skills are among the best I have ever observed."
-Rene' Sporer, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Porterville College

"She understands computers, but also their role in society and culture. Her breadth of knowledge in technical fields is both current and evolving. She makes a concerted effort to stay abreast of new developments in technology, and understands the relative importance of new advances in hardware, software, and communication technologies. More than just a passive observer, she learns about new technology through enthusiastic immersion that often sparks an interest in colleagues. Her tendency toward early adoption makes her an ideal candidate for leadership roles in instructional technology on campus, as well... She understands and values teamwork, and is always willing to go the extra mile in support of a colleague."
-Bill Moseley, Professor of Computer Studies, Bakersfield College

"I was extremely impressed by your messages to your students... turning a server mess into a learning opportunity. Bravo!"
-Marti Atkinson, @ONE Workshop Coordinator

"Thanks, Debby.  I think of these types of glitches as part of the course.  Now, I know for sure how to handle the situation and calm my students by assuring them I will be diligently working to gets things up and running.  Bringing down their stress level by letting them know the syllabus in not set in concrete and we won't be behind when all is said and done. I will tell them the first part of the course is being able to handle technical difficulties.(LOL)."
-Renay Butler, Victor Valley College

"Debby, Thanks for the update. I have attempted to keep my students updated on technical issues in the past. I am very happy to be on the receiving end of such a message and gain the students perspective."
-Jeff Basham, College of the Sequoias

"Debby's students were very engaged and active learners. Her relaxed style and enthusiasm for her subject was transferred to her students."
-Valerie Karnes, Department Chair, Business & Information Technology
Cerro Coso Community College, Fall05

"Very strong facilitator, student centered, promotes social learning community, very effective at making content understood and relevant."
-Jim Kiggens, Department Chair, Media Arts
Cerro Coso Community College, Fall05

"Overall this course has really made me think about my existing online class, and that is what I need!  Thank you, Debby, for such a useful and thought-provoking class!"
-Jacqui Shehorn, West Hills Community College
INST 262 - Intro to Online Teaching and Learning, Sp06

“Professor Kilburn is doing a wonderful job educating the creative leaders of the future.”
-Jane Harmon
Interim Vice President of Student Learning
Cerro Coso Community College, Fall06

“The collaborative learning environment fosters learning in all ages as students engage in designing, building and programming robots. The students are so excited about the robotics classes that they can’t wait to get to class, and we have to make them leave.”
-Valerie Karnes
Interim Dean of Occupational Education and Workforce Development
Cerro Coso Community College, Fall06

"I want to say that on a scale of 1-10 on student contact, you are over the top (somewhere around 15). I am just hoping that I can be 1/2 as responsive to my students as you have been throughout this course (and another I took from you a couple of years ago). All of your comments and recommendations have been extremely helpful."
-Dell Teigen, Business Instructor, Cerro Coso Community College
INST 269 - Introduction to Moodle, Fall 06

"Keep Debby around! She has the right mindset about learning. She encourages purposeful play and understands that learning is an individualized process whithin a social environment. We were encouraged to make the site all our own and she understood that some students may be more advanced than others and that it would no way impact our evaluation--as long as we were making personal progress!"
-Cheryl Fiello, Science Teacher, Claremont High School
INST 269 - Introduction to Moodle, Fall 06

"This is by FAR the most useful and interesting online course I have ever taken..."
-Linnea Hannigan, UC Irvine
INST 269 - Introduction to Moodle, Summer 07

"Thank you for this class. It has been the most valuable by far in the on-line teaching certificate program."
-Shirley McManus, Dean of Math, Science, and Engineering, Fresno City College
INST 269 - Introduction to Moodle, Summer 07

"Debby made students feel comfortable and encouraged questions. She used examples to get students engeged in a higher level of material."
- Claudia Sellers - observation of CSCI 101 on campus, Fall 2007

"Outstanding course. Website is well-organized and comprehensive. Utlizes a wide variety of instructional tools. Emphasizes student-centered learning. Makes course topics relevant to students' interests and experiences without sacrificing rigor."
- Jon Tittle- observation of CSCI 101 online, Fall 2007

"This was a useful class! I've been using moodle for about a year already, but I learned some new tricks here. Thanks for setting this great course up!"
- Gary Enns - Introduction to Moodle, Spring 08