Introducing

Professor Ingrid Bianca Byerly

Endorsements from Students

Compiled from Originals

by

Martworth Consulting

2004

South African Course Evaluations

Venues:

Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria

Durban, Port Elizabeth, Thaba ‘Nchu,

Namibia venue: Windhoek

Course:

Cultural Awareness Courses

A “jewel” of a leader!!

Zulu delegate

I know a person must never strive to be somebody else, but Ingrid has really inspired me to follow.

Afrikaans delegate

Ingrid expressed herself and the subject matter in the manner that she did not leave us offended or feeling uncomfortable.

Xhosa delegate

She presented the subject matter in an unbiased and welcoming way.

Tswana delegate

Ingrid is doing a wonderful job and needs a tap on her shoulders. She should be blessed and I hope we will not fear anymore – that finally our production will be easily improved when we are unified.

Tswana delegate

The course leader is a very open-minded person who sees things the right way and she is prepared to know more and give more. She enjoys her work and knows every part of it thus it is easier for her to explain and give light to me.

Zulu delegate

Everything was said with open mind without any suspicion or mistrust.

Zulu delegate

Of course, Ingrid’s approach to the lesson turns the module comfortable.

Ndebele delegate

I feel that Ingrid is one of the best people who can change the image of South Africa so that it can be accepted by other countries. She can change the discrimination of human beings between each other.

Xhosa delegate

Ingrid is a well-traveled person who has met people from different countries, which makes it easy for her to conduct this type of course.

Zulu delegate

Courses:

Public Speaking

Career Development

Communications Skills

Advanced Communications Skills (Managers)

Basic Instructors’ Course

Senior Instructor’s Course

Ingrid really knows how to read people

Only one word to describe her- ‘Happy’

What else need one say?

Fair and sincere

Convincing and influential

Her pleasantness, sense of humour, general knowledge and ease..

A confidence that ‘rubbed’ on to the students in the public speaking course

Everything was excellent

All-round she is superb

Very outgoing

Remarkable ability to put across the point very well

A great combination of confidence and friendliness

Benefited tremendously!

Communicates so well with others to make them feel at ease

“Just right”

Fair, friendly and an excellent communicator

Able to make us feel very comfortable and relaxed

Fantastic personality

Change my attitude so positively

Her positive attitude built my confidence

She gave us all a lot more confidence in ourselves by proving that we all do have the ability

Vibrant personality makes you feel totally at ease, and an excellent sense of humour

Ingrid is a master at what she presents

An excellent ‘people’ –person

Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her critique of weak points is very constructive

Her great wealth of diverse knowledge adds to every course she teaches

Both easy on the ear – and on the eye!

Keeps everyone very interested

Marvellous ability to communicate at all levels

She taught me to be open-minded

Through knowledge of her topics, and open-minded

An in-depth knowledge of other cultures

Very spontaneous

She really gets the message across

An open relaxed atmosphere that makes you want to participate

I cannot suggest a single thing that would have improved this course

This has been a totally different approach to anything I’ve experienced before

She’s part of the team- such a lovely, open and relaxed manner

Very bright and charming

She makes one feel as though you’re learning from 18 people at once – everyone in the group – and not just the main facilitator. She does not believe in a prescriptive one-person approach. I would love to attend every other course she gives in the future!

She is more than a teacher – she is truly a facilitator

I learnt from everybody in the class – which was her goal.

She has the ability to read the minds of people and bring thoughts into the course without cynicism

I found her Amazing

No one ever feels ignored or neglected

The best course I have ever attended

Very positive throughout the course. Relaxed facilitator, which caused a relaxed environment.

Her choice of words and vocabulary to get ideas across is exceptional.

She has a natural flair

Ingrid’s flexibility, adaptability and easy-going approach makes her course very enjoyable, useful, and most importantly REALISTIC and PRACTICAL!

She uses examples like “Do you remember….” or “Has this ever happened to you?….” I learn this way.

To know different approaches to learning has been invaluable to my own learning

A really positive personality

She is OUSTANDING. As a matter of fact, she is the best leader of a course that I have ever attended

She was just TOO good- because I can’t think of any suggestions to improve this course!

All were encouraged to voice their opinions and true feelings openly

The atmosphere was terrific and lively discussion was generated.

The course surpassed my expectations. The course was extremely informative, interesting and well worth the time. I learnt a great deal. The lecturer is so well qualified to speak on the subject, and yet opinions were never forced on us.

I was amazed how much information and awareness the course leader could put across in so limited amount of time.

This was a sensitive subject, yet at all times we all felt free and encouraged to express our opinions openly.

Excellent, keeps the class on their toes, and very spontaneous

Relaxed yet lively. She is excellent- informed, unbiased and approachable

She taught me a lot about myself.

It is the most wonderful course I have ever attended.

I was so excited about the course that I couldn’t wait for the next day. I loved and enjoyed every single minute of it.

Honestly, I wish I could be like her one day.

I actually wished I would fail the course so that I could come back again!

She is a lovely person

I wanted her to be proud of me

I had heard so much about the course – it was wonderful and I enjoyed it very much.

A great combination between a sense of humour and empathy

She keeps it at exactly the level needed for the students in the class- she is just fantastic

She awakened the confidence in me to speak publicly in front of an audience- a confidence that I never knew existed in me.

American College and University Courses Evaluations

Venues:

Duke University,

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina State University

University of California at Berkeley

Courses:

Introduction to Anthropology

Theories of Anthropology

The Anthropology of Music

World Music

The Social Motives of Music

The Politics of Music

Advertising and Society

Dr. Byerly is a born teacher.

Ingrid was beyond excellent. All Teachers should use the “Ingrid Technique”

She knows her stuff!

Ingrid is knowledgeable, insightful and highly organized.

She is interested in the topic and in having us understand the material.

Ingrid is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and relates to students very well.

She adds quite a great deal of personality to it all.

She was fantastic – very well-spoken; went out of the way to make sure we had a good grasp on the material, give helpful suggestions, etc.

Ingrid is a great teacher.She knows and understands the material extremely well and conveyed it well. It was apparent she spent a lot of time preparing.

She was completely enthusiastic, knowledgeable and organized. Everyone should run their classes this way.

She was excellent! The best teacher I’ve had a Duke!

Her study techniques and exam taking tips are valuable I enjoyed her comparisons.

She understands her students needs and concerns and wants us to do well. I can’t say enough good things about her. She’s able to entertain a class and makes them want to learn.

Ingrid provided a much needed synthesis of all the material from the lectures. She brought a unique perspective to discussion as an Afrikaner.

She has a great sense of humor, which kept things interesting.

Ingrid enhances class for all of us!

Professor Byerly’s unique personality kept everyone in a good mood and ready to learn.

Professor Byerly made the course fun and interesting even when the material was not.

Ingrid was so awesome!

I have seldom met a person so in love with learning. This class was amazing!

Great course – great instructor.

I learned how to think critically about writings and read more effectively.

I learned a lot about study skills.

I learned how to improve my note-taking when reading a series of books dealing with different subjects.

I learned how to read at a more scholarly level.

Professor Byerly is the most motivational professor I have had at Duke.

Enthusiastic, helpful and dynamic. A wonderful teacher!

A lively and interactive class.

I can see that Ingrid takes her work very seriously and also enjoys the subject.

Ingrid was always energetic and this, along with everything else, made this time of day a highlight for me. The information I have acquired while in this class I will remember always.

She came to class seeming as if this was your most important job.

I certainly took a whole new approach to my thinking process.

This class was everything I’d hoped for… and more!

This class really made me think about my own culture in a way that I never have before. It was mind-altering.

Ingrid kept my attention by making class fun, amusing and interesting and she was supportive, encouraging and always available for consultation.

Her enthusiasm is astounding!

I loved Ingrid. She is probably one of my most favorite teachers of all time. I’d recommend her class to anyone!

I have a new hunger for anthropology, the broadest social science there is, thanks to Ingrid.

There wasn’t one day in class when she wasn’t smiling and eager to teach.

I basically re-evaluated my entire way of thinking about other cultures.

Extremely helpful with study techniques.

Ingrid’s approach to teaching is unique yet fun because of the films, music and other activities she planned.

Great class and exceptional teacher. Thanks!

Ingrid just rocks!

I can honestly say Ingrid is the only teacher … from whom I have considered myself as having learned something, as opposed to just memorizing material for a test.

Incredible course. Ingrid was interesting and taught us a lot more than the books could.

She cared about each student and helped us deal with college life, stress and work.

She is an amazing and inspiring woman.

I wish she could teach more classes at Duke.

Ingrid is funny and kind as well as incredibly intelligent and modest. It was a pleasure to get to know her!

After taking Ingrid’s class, I think of music and appreciate it in a whole new way.

Ingrid never devalued or ignored our opinions and comments and was even available from South Africa via email! She encouraged scholarship.

She knows the material and knows how to impart her knowledge to others.

Such an incredible learning experience and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

She’s just plain cool.

The class discussions were relaxed, comfortable, lively and always interesting.

Her style is engaging, informative and inspirational.

Honestly, one of the best instructors I’ve had at Duke. I could really tell she wants us all to succeed in life.

I have loved every class!

I wish I could take it again!

She made the class extraordinary.

This has been the best class I’ve ever been a part of. Prof. Byerly is truly a great teacher, friend, and role model. She has a great deal of respect for her students, and they respect her in return. I’m very lucky to have had the chance to take this class and work with her.

I have honestly never seen a professor more prepared. Professor Byerly displays a true passion for teaching and she seemed very concerned that we learn, not just about music, but [about] life as well.

The class was interesting and it would be a shame if they didn’t get Professor Byerly again because she made it my favorite class so far.

Despite having such a large class, Byerly made the effort to treat us and work with us fairly and personally. Every email to her is individually answered.

Each day was a pleasure with something new and interesting to learn.

You know the saying “the professor makes or breaks the class”? Well, she definitely made this class!!

I listen to music with “new ears”.

It is due to [Professor Byerly’s] intense concern that we did learn. A student is driven to peak performance by a teacher that cares and is passionate.

This course was so enriching not only to my education, but to my life. I feel I am a little more complete now.

Professor Byerly said she doesn’t like tests, that it’s more important that you walk away having learned something than that you walk away with an A.

This would be the first class I would recommend. In fact, I had so much fun I wouldn’t mind taking it again!

I appreciate very much that [she] obviously cares about us.

Out of all of the professors I have had in college, Professor Byerly seems to have cared the most for students.

This has been one of my top favorite classes in college (I’m a senior). Professor Byerly’s enthusiasm rubs off to the class and that is a rare and great attribute of a professor.

The instructor brought the life to the course. She was so dedicated and animated. I have never seen a professor try so hard to reach all of his or her students. I am terribly sorry that this course is over.

Everyone, I think, feels a personal connection with the professor, which is incredibly difficult to do.

Professor Byerly’s concern is rare among professors, and appreciated.

She breaks things down and relates to us on our level.

She is exceptiona[ly fair and understanding towards what students are going through and is willing to help any way she can.

I’ve never had a class in which the instructor answered class questions so thoroughly.

It’s rare to have a teacher to care that much at a larger university.

[I would recommend this course to others only with Professor Byerly; the course is only as good as the teacher.

Having a professor who really cares makes all the difference for me – thank you.

I have yet to take a class (grade, middle, high school, or college) in which the teacher cared so much about what the students learn.

I didn’t mind waking up to go to class! It was fun.

I think everyone should have the opportunity to get to know Prof. Byerly.

Always available, always friendly, always informative.

[Professor Byerly] not only wanted us to learn about the music, but about how “college learning” would affect our lives in the future. She was concerned for our well-being.

Rather than being concerned with grades or a bell curve, [she] made sure we all really learned.

My other classes were boring and tiresome and monotonous, but I knew I could always expect a laugh and some knowledge in Prof. Byerly’s class!

The coolest teacher ever.  And I don't mean cool like in the third grade sense like I used to

talk about Transformers or Thundercats, I mean cool as in one of the best

experiences I've had in college.

Her teaching style is very integrative, creative and very realistic.

I am able to stay awake and alive without getting bored.

Dr. Ingrid Byerly is one of the best professors I have ever had. This is not because she knows what she is talking about, even though she does, but it is because she makes you want to know what she is talking about. She is terribly fun.

Professor Byerly’s teaching style is refreshingly new to me and makes me enjoy and look forward to coming to class! Her enthusiasm inspires me. She’s a legend in all her students’ hearts and minds.

Professor Byerly is the opposite of rigid, structured, impersonal, dry, bland, monotonous, and impersonal – the only prof. Who has attempted to learn, and knows, everyone’s name in lecture class – very admirable.

Professor Byerly connects with the students while she teaches, instead of preaching like other professors.

This was one class students did not skip. In fact, we brought our friends!

I love the class and would recommend it to anyone. I also love Professor Byerly’s accent – so it makes me want to pay attention that much more.

Prof. Byerly is a very engaging speaker.

Professor Byerly is a brilliant professor!

The class is not what I thought it would be, but better!

Of course I enjoyed the course! It was tremendous fun! Dr. Byerly is entertaining and funny. She never loses my interest.

I always have a good tune in my head after I leave the class. Byerly’s personal experience has made the course especially special.

Dr. Byerly always stressed not over-worrying about grades and just learning about the topic we were covering. This would in turn affect the grade well, and it did.

Professor Byerly demonstrated that she considered teaching as more than just a job for her own personal pursuits. She genuinely desired to ensure that all her students learned.

I am indebted to Ingrid Byerly to guidance in many aspects of my life – academic and personal.

Her style of teaching was unique to any other professor I had during my academic career.

Immersed in her life, I felt loved as her student and continue to feel love in her continued enthusiastic contact with me and the rest of my class. So few professors have this talent, and Ingrid Byerly is certainly one of them.

During music classes she would attempt to give us "life lessons," on how to take good notes, on how to cope with what she termed "academic angst," etc.....In short, one could tell that Dr. Byerly truly cared about the well-being of her students.

I believe that every student in my class knew that Dr. Byerly LOVED music---she loved what she was teaching.....And it was this fact (her love for music and her concern for students) that made her such a good professor......

Many of us in the class were freshmen who had just arrived at college. Professor Byerly gave us hints and tips to help us get through. The one thing she did, which I will never forget, is she gave us her phone number and said that if we ever go through a period of “angst” (as she put it), to call her. It did not matter if it was during the class or five years after.

Professor Byerly established her place in my memory from the first word she spoke to our class.

She gently shared with us the wisdom she had gained the way a mother would, urging us to explore our minds, the world, and to always try new things.

I can easily say that in some respects I owe my life to Professor Byerly. She helped me above and beyond the typical teacher, but more importantly, beyond the typical person.

Dr. Byerly is a treasured and very special educator. I’m proud to say that I was her pupil.

She also did something that not many professors can do, she kept our attention and made us want to learn, but most importantly she made learning FUN.

I was amazed from the start at Dr. Byerly, who learnt everyone's name in that class of over 150. It was wonderful to have a professor take such an interest in who her students were, but it was even more wonderful when i came to see what a genuine interest she took in students ideas as well.

I can think of no other teacher I’ve had in high school or college who would take such an interest in my comments.

I was ready to become "just another number" in all my classes. The exact opposite proved to be the case in Professor Byerly's course

She was a wonderful teacher. Her classes were always very interesting, and her personal involvement with each

student was incredible.

Just from being in the room with Professor Byerly for five minutes one gages two things about her immediately. First of all, she adores teaching and secondly, she adores her students (not necessarily in this order).

The most memorable advice any teacher in my life has ever offered me was offered by Dr. Byerly.

Dr. Byerly is such a remarkable person and teacher. I feel so lucky to have met her and been on the receiving end of all of her priceless advice.

Dr. Byerly is a fine professor and a wonderful person. She showed a true love of her work and a desire to share her vast knowledge with her students.

For all Dr. Byerly’s compassion, advice, and encouragement I thank her, and would love to see her recognized with an award.

The class has been awesome this semester. I have really enjoyed it. it is rare to get a professor at a university, especially such a large one, that puts so much time and effort into the class. Not just the class itself, but into the students also. I really appreciate it. It has definitely been the most fun class I have taken in my college career.

A great and inspiring person. I really enjoyed the class, and believe it or not, I even really did enjoy writing that last paper. I couldn’t' believe it, but I did.

Dr. Byerly is interested enough in us to teach us not only about music, but also about note taking, test taking, about how to study, about how to survive at college. 

I came home yesterday and I thought to myself that our class is exactly what I'd imagined a college class was supposed to be before I came here. Everyone in our class was talking at the bus stop about how it was the one class we wished we’d had more than once a week. 

The combination of passion, brilliance, and wicked humor just inspired me from the second I met her. Dr. Byerly’s passion is thoroughly engaging and highly contagious. She is not only an amazing teacher, but also one of the most outstanding women I know. Through music, she is able to open the eyes of her students to the world. Through her own insight, she opens their eyes to life.

I remember having to stay here a week after classes ended, when everyone had gone home. When Professor Byerly found out, she took me and another student out to lunch and invited us to spend a day with her and her family. Her decision to go far beyond what is her job was very appreciated and I will never forget her.

Ingrid, from time to time, addressed the issue of academic angst and allowed us to share methods of dealing with it. She was not preaching how to deal with academic troubles; instead she reiterated her life experiences with it, for our benefit.

Extremely connected and interested in her students. I would’ve loved any course with her, for her enthusiasm and warmth was just excellent.

She really cared about shaping our 4 years here, not just 1 semester.

Dr. Byerly is a delightful person, a fabulous, hardworking teacher

Her course helped me understand more about what’s expected of me in my college career.

The interaction between the students and the professor was great

Stimulating and fun. Professor Byerly truly cares about her students, and personalizes her courses …around the interests of her students.

A very friendly ad personable teacher, easy to approach and speak to.

I loved this class!

Excellent interaction. Great tips for college careers and the future. Nicest professor I have probably ever encountered. Beautiful person.

Professor Byerly really focuses on the student and the student’s development.

She was very approachable, understandable, friendly and open. This made the class atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable.

Ingrid is a fabulous teacher who really cares about her students and about learning. I hope to be able to take more classes from her. All subject matter was very interesting and thought provoking. It helped me learn and think in new ways and connect ideas and things I never thought went together. Ingrid was very interested in her students and what they had to say. She laid out the class progression upfront, but also kept some wonderful surprises for us. I loved how open and laid back we could all be. She made me think in new and fascinating ways and I believe this helped me academically very much.

Professor Byerly has provided us with one of the most stimulating courses. I’ve learnt much more than music. I haven’t walked away from a class before feeling so satisfied with it and myself as I did in this class.

Professor Byerly gave me a new outlook on how to approach college in general- from tests to study to papers. I feel more prepared to handle them thanks to Ingrid and this class.

Professor Byerly and her secrets of learning are overall awesome!

This instructor’s knowledge is amazing. There was great and valuable interaction between the students and the instructor.

I LOVED this class

Very stimulating. I feel like my mind has really been opened. I not only learned about the subject. I learned how to think ….

I hope you realize what a profound and wonderful impact you have on your students. I can say without a doubt you and your class allowed me to discover my passions, and put my life on an amazing course I never expected - the past three years have far surpassed my dreams. If I haven't said it before, thank you.

Very personal and engaging. Dynamic and well organized. She encourages introspective evaluation, which is very helpful.

Very intellectually stimulating!

This course gave me a whole new way of looking at things.

Very interesting. The teacher is very dynamic and makes the course come alive!

Prof Byerly taught us how to deal with college life…

Approachable and knowledgeable, and a great personality.

From the first lecture I understood what the fuss was about. I have never, and will never, experience a professor quite like Dr. Byerly.

In our class of 120 students she knew each and every one of us (I'm not kidding) and made each and every one of us feel like the smartest and most capable students we could possibly be. Whoever heard of such a thing.? .? I had become so used to professors that treat their classes like a mass of morons. This just blew me away. The result of her obvious respect for every individual was not surprising. Every one of us worked as hard as we could, and she expected nothing less. Her expectations were higher than any professor I have had classes with, not just in reading assignment preparations for a lecture, but also in class participation, tests, presentations and assignments. Strangely, she taught us not to learn for grades, but for knowledge, and I was surprised to realize how positively this strategy affected grades!

While the focus was on theories of anthropology, and the social motives and styles of world music, one came away from every class feeling more informed about everything from politics, history and geography, to psychology, literature and philosophy. She even made me like classical music! Her lessons are packed with connected materials to enhance the subject and to make more sense of it in a larger context, and in ways that everyone could relate to from different angles. She is not only the smartest professor, I know, she is also the funniest.

It is entirely because of Professor Byerly that I feel as capable and positive about my senior year as I do - I only wish I had taken a course with her earlier. She gave me more enthusiasm and self-respect than any teacher could, and I know that all of us in the class feel the same. We love her!