Reviews of Lara as a Teacher
Madelynn describes having Dr. Birk as a teacher and mentor at Boston College.
“Dr. Lara Birk is an excellent educator, an attentive listener, and an engaged facilitator; she is a comforting figure —kind, calm, and empathetic. Lara sheds light on invisible [suffering] and gives voice to the unheard. I have watched her give her whole self to her students—as a teacher, resource, and friend… I promise you, after working with her, you will surely respect her, learn from her, and love her, too.”
— Madelynn Paul
“Over the last 40 years I have had occasion to visit the classrooms of several colleagues and graduate students for evaluative purposes. Of course, I also sat in innumerable classrooms during my own education. Acknowledging the risk of sounding excessive in my praise, I think that Lara is among the very best teachers I have ever seen.” — David A. Karp, Ph.D.
“Dr. Lara Birk has such a talent for cultivating an open, safe, and welcoming environment. Her vulnerability in sharing her own life experiences was so powerful as she taught us lessons in resiliency and perseverance as well. As we talked… Lara gracefully weaved in stories of her own medical journey, effectively bringing the words in our textbooks to life. Her classroom felt like a beacon of warmth and humanism filled with lively discussion interspersed with tears and laughter. It was a special place where we as participants felt comfortable sharing our own stories of depression, triumph, family loss... Five years later, as a medical student I still think about the conversations we had and how she helped shape my own path as an aspiring healthcare provider.”
— Alex Zhuang
“Lara has a way of making people feel heard, understood, and important. From the very first course, I learned and grew in self confidence, which allowed me to pursue my goals and passions. Lara teaches clients invaluable life skills that apply far beyond any class you take with her. She is passionate about the well-being of her clients, community, and even strangers in the world. She exudes peace and joy, and her objective is for us to become transformed in our thinking and lives. It’s definitely not a surprise so many people keep in touch with her for years later.”
— So Hyeon Park
“Lara Birk is a woman of great wisdom, a teacher who holds our opinions in the highest regard and is an ally to the social issues that concern the broader world… She speaks with a desire and a fire that ignites within. I see her as an ally to the anti-racism cause.” — Marilyn O.
“What separates the good professors from the great ones is the amount the professor care about his or her students. Lara Birk cares more about her students than any other professor I have had… I walked away from the course feeling as though my life was permanently changed.” — Michael White
“Lara Birk is not only inspiring, open-minded, and knowledgeable, but she is also sweet, caring, strong, and intentional in her approach towards you, which is what makes her so great.” — Tyler Best
“Professor Birk’s class was a breath of fresh air in a semester full of dull and mundane core classes. After a day full of lecture classes, I always was at ease upon entering Lara Birk’s classroom. Her class had the feel of a group discussion than a lecture, and it is that exact quality that allowed for the connections and comfort that were constantly present within the class... When speaking to her, you can tell that she has a genuine concern for the well being of each one of us. Her passion is very visible which makes each person feel important and allows for a genuine connection that breaks down the barrier between student and professor.” — Patrick W.
“Our online class was so magical, I found myself eager to see everyone, discuss, and just listen to all the conversations that we were having. Dr. Birk’s facilitation style was impeccable, and she was very accommodating, respectful, and understanding to everyone's individual needs, as well as fostering a cohesive group unit! I loved every minute!!!” — Yassmine Raoui
“Lara was able to engage and inspire students. She transformed the (online) classroom into a safe space and encouraged students to open up about their various experiences… With the opportunity to hear others’ stories, I would like to believe we all walked out wiser and more empathetic towards others.” — Katheryn Ward
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