Dr. Christopher Krejci, associate professor of English, has been named Temple College’s 2023 Claudia and W.T. Barnhart Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
Known to his students as “Dr. K.,” Krejci has served as a member of the Temple College faculty since 2015. He teaches courses in composition, British literature, American literature and Mexican-American literature. Krejci is based at Temple College’s Taylor Campus, and he teaches as part of the Legacy Early High School program and Temple College’s Texas Bioscience Institute program in Hutto.
Krejci will be a featured speaker at Temple College’s commencement ceremony Saturday at the Bell County Expo Center.
“In the hallways of local ISD campuses and TBI Hutto, passersby can hear Dr. Krejci’s voice as he makes English come alive to his students, sharing his passion for literature and writing,” said Kimberly George, professor of English at Temple College. “Constantly studying new research about the teaching of writing, Dr. Krejci frequently tests new ideas and techniques in his classes, and in addition to sharing his ideas with colleagues, he also is eager to learn from others.”
Krejci said he is grateful to his Temple College colleagues for selecting him for the honor, and he is especially thankful to his mentors at the College who provided opportunities to grow as a professor and teacher who helps students.
“During my time at Temple College, I have learned to trust students: trust that students want to learn, trust that students are trying their best given their individual circumstances, and trust students even when others may think that students have not earned trust,” Krejci said. “I am unable to count the number of times my teachers, professors, colleagues and mentors have put their trust in me, and I am certain I would not be where I am today if this had not been the case.”
Krejci has led numerous committees within the English department, from redesign of various English courses to textbook committees, and he has been active in Faculty Council, where he has served as a member and chair of a number of committees. He participated in the Equity Book Club and was a 2021 Equity Fellow for the College, and as a part of this learning, he worked for the addition of a Mexican-American literature course to the College catalog. He has also chaired the 2021-2022 textbook committee for Temple College.
Krejci is the co-advisor for Sigma Kappa Delta, the two-year English honor society, and the co-advisor for the College’s Gay-Straight Alliance. His colleagues recognize him as a student advocate who is focused on student success, and because he maintains high success rates, he was selected as a Bright Spots Caring Campus faculty member.
“I believe in community colleges like Temple College and I believe in community college students,” he said. “I believe that I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for these very same students who challenge me to be a better teacher and person each time I walk into the classroom. I know my success is due in large part to family, friends and mentors who believe in me, and I want to help students learn to believe in themselves.”
Dr. Krejci earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Master of Liberal Arts with a specialization in English literature from St. Edward’s University. He earned his Ph.D. in theatre history and dramatic literature, theory and criticism from Louisiana State University, where he has also engaged in post-doctoral studies in curriculum and instruction.
ABOUT TEMPLE COLLEGE
Temple College is “Your Community’s College,” a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of Central Texas students with the knowledge and skills for 21st-century success. Temple College, which has campuses in Temple, Hutto and Taylor, offers more than 75 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree, or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.
Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence for 97 years. It is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs, from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics. The College has become one of the state’s premiere institutions for healthcare providers’ education and training, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.