TESTIMONIALS

This professor took the time, genuinely, to read my work. The comments she left on my papers I turned in felt personal and helped me further my work. Additionally, I felt like because of this professor this class had character. The books in the class and how the lessons were taught were never boring because the professor opened a lot of the dialogue to the class and applied it beyond the book, and even beyond the philosophy of the book to real life and events.

- Former Student, University of Denver 

I will truly miss you. Even though I've only had you as a teacher for one semester and a dorm parent for one year, you really made Idyllwild feel better for me and you made me a better person. I know I'm rambling a bit but it's just because I'm still sad (better! but still sad). I'm so glad I got to meet you as a human and as an educator. Thank you for your guidance and your sweetness. I'll never forget you. 

- Former Student, Idyllwild Arts Academy

Miss Takacs was easily my favorite professor I've had. She was so helpful and eager to answer any question, big or small. She is efficient while fun and always has her priorities straight and made it a class I really enjoyed.

- Former Student, University of Arkansas

You were one of the most compassionate, encouraging teachers I’ve had in my life.

- Former Student, Idyllwild Arts Academy

I’ve had the pleasure to observe Instructor Takacs’s class, and speak with her at length about her teaching. A striking aspect of her pedagogy is her tone with her students, which is fun, electric even. She makes it clear that their interests are what should drive their academic work and scholarship in each assignment sheet and discussion. I find this foundationally important, not just because this is how advanced scholarship is driven—intrinsically—but because of the way it fosters confidence and engagement in her students.She fosters a non-hierarchical and accessible feel to her class and materials, like she’s on this journey with the students. She is resourceful, finding answers to her numerous curiosities through a variety of means: reaching out to fellow instructors, staying engaged in the Scholarship Of Teaching & Learning, attending conferences and department meetings. She is a consistently practicing writer, which matters in the teaching of writing. She understands the process, from the inside, and therefore, can communicate it effectively. She takes a rhetorical, multi-genre, multi-media, multi-modal approach. Her materials are adaptable to multiple methods of communication, whether face-to-face or online.

- Former Supervisor & Colleague, Red Rocks Community College

Thank you for being understanding and working individually to help everyone! I appreciate your class style and I think it helped me to develop my writing skills.

- Former Student, University of Arkansas

Eszter is excellent at forming and maintaining relationships with students/taking a genuine interest in their education, personal lives, and development. I always felt comfortable turning to Eszter for advice or feedback and thoroughly enjoyed having her as a professor this quarter.

- Former Student, University of Denver 

You’ve impacted my education more than you know and more than I can express. I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me and I hope your next chapter is amazing.

- Former Student, Idyllwild Arts Academy

You were one of the craziest teacher's I ever had who I connected to on a deeper level. By "crazy" I mean crazy in “my way.”  Not many people understand why I am the way I am, but I truly felt you were one of the only teachers who did!

- Former Student, Idyllwild Arts Academy

It was clear to me that students connected well with the various lines of inquiry Instructor Takacs introduced, while reacting enthusiastically to her calm, inviting, and professional delivery. Her ability to be both light hearted without losing sight of the at times heavy content of the poetry being discussed is a distinct asset, exhibiting an awareness of the complexity of different literary, theoretical, and pedagogical approaches. I was especially impressed by the time and thought that Instructor Takacs had clearly given to the morning’s lesson plan, as the content was merged together in a seamless and intentional way.

- Former  Supervisor & Colleague, University of Denver

You are my favorite teacher that I’ve ever had. I’m so grateful for all the things that you’ve taught me, not just about English and poetry, but about people and ways of thinking. I’m not sure if you know but I won first prize for Parallax (IAA literary arts journal) and I wouldn’t have if you hadn’t helped me that day. I cried when I read that you were leaving and I hope that running into you at the coffee shop won’t be the last time we get to say “hi.” Thank you for everything and I wish you the best in whatever is next for you. 

- Former Student, Idyllwild Arts Academy

She gave us reasonable deadlines and was 100% willing to communicate with students. She was also an easy professor to talk to so I think that eased a lot of stress for students.

- Former Student, Red Rocks Community College

Besides all the jokes and me being a hard person in class, I genuinely loved your classes. You are incredible and I admire you a lot. You bring joy and craziness to everyone. You made my days better and your class was my favorite one. 

- Former Student, Idyllwild Arts Academy

Not only have I been able to count on having Eszter always meet and teach her classes responsibly, but I have yet to receive a complaint from my colleagues or her peers about her performance as a graduate student or colleague. In fact, the opposite is true; fellow instructors have often remarked on her qualities and genuinely appreciate her collegiality, professionalism, and sense of duty—all of the same qualities that she displayed while volunteering as a mentor to first-time teaching assistants in my program.

- Former Supervisor & Colleague, University of Arkansas

She was always very involved and there for us whether or not we actually needed help. She went above and beyond to do anything beneficial for us at all. She really encouraged the class to participate, think, and analyze for ourselves and guided us along.

- Former Student, Red Rocks Community College

She was always extremely upbeat and happy. She always wanted to show us eagerly her lesson plan and never stopped trying to make everything more interesting. If I could have a home room teacher again, I would choose her. 

- Former Student, Red Rocks Community College

The feedback we received from her students was that she created a classroom climate where students felt respected and encouraged to take intellectual risks. Many instructors I have worked with in the past are hesitant to create assignments that both demand excellence and also engage with subjects that may lead to controversy when they first start teaching in a multicultural classroom. This is often based on misperceptions of our student population and Eszter did not go down this road. Instead, she was willing to take risks and work in collaboration with her students. The ultimate result was that her students felt challenged in her class, but also trusted to take on difficult materials and subjects. I was very disappointed that due to some decline in our enrollment numbers, I was not able to retain Eszter as a writing instructor with our department. If the opportunity to hire her again were to present itself, I would do so without reservation and I highly recommend her for any position in a writing classroom.

- Former Colleague & Supervisor, University of Colorado Boulder 

I really enjoyed this class. The effort my professor gave on a daily basis was really encouraging and great.

- Former Student, University of Arkansas