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Eileen Ehudin Beard, CNM, FNP, FACNM, is a health educator and consultant whose extensive experience in women’s health informs her instruction at ���۴�ý. As a senior associate faculty member, faculty mentor and lead faculty area chair for the online family nurse practitioner program at UOPX, Beard frequently teaches women’s health and health policy at the University. Equally importantly, she knows firsthand how challenging it can be to pursue education as an adult. In this Q&A, she shares her perspective on the joys of teaching diverse students.

A: In 1981, I co-founded and directed the Baltimore Birth Center, which was the first birth center in Maryland.��

A: I had a student whose child passed away during the first few weeks of class. She had to drop the class, but several years later she was in my class again. She needed a great deal of support throughout the course and messaged me many times how much the help and encouragement I provided meant to her.

In addition to the support I provided, I was able to refer her to UOPX resources as well as her academic counselor. Being flexible and supportive for her enabled this student to complete her education when she was able. Every student is different, and I was glad that I was able to provide the additional help she needed.

A: I have always loved working with students. I was a preceptor for many years, and it was a joy to watch students learn and grow. Teaching online provides an additional opportunity to do this.

Sharing my professional experience helps students to understand how they can apply theory to their educational and professional goals. I also share with students that I was juggling work, family and school when in graduate school. I am sensitive that this is not an easy journey but worth the effort.

I support my students by creating a welcoming environment from the first day of class. I post videos and let students know that I am interested in learning about them and supporting their educational and professional goals. The feedback I provide on assignments is individualized to meet each student’s unique learning needs and to enrich their learning.

A: They may find that they get to know their classmates better online than in a traditional classroom setting where they only meet once or twice per week.

Also, having support from family and friends is important.

Finally, UOPX has resources such as the Life Resource Center, Facebook study groups, technical support and help with writing — plus much more.

I also enjoy the flexibility that being an online facilitator provides. I am in the classroom every day and feel that I really get to know my students, which enables me to individualize and support their learning and professional goals. Working with such a diverse group of adult learners enables me to bring my career and professional experience to the classroom.

Be volunteering in an animal shelter.

Eileen Ehudin Beard became a certified nurse-midwife in 1977 and has focused her career on advocating for women’s health. She received the Overall Excellence in Family Health Award from Stony Brook University in 2003 and is also the recipient of the Bristol-Myers Squibb NP Student Scholarship and the March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarship award.

Beard has attended more than 1,000 births and provided gynecologic care for women with special needs. After opening the first birth center in Maryland, she became the director of midwifery services. She has worked in a variety of family practice settings and served as the senior practice advisor for the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). In 2015, she was honored with Fellowship in the ACNM. Beard is a former governor appointee to the Maryland State Board on Infant Mortality.

She has been with ���۴�ý since 2007.

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