Dasler named top instructor at UF College of Health Professions

Patricia Dasler, M.A., O.T.R./L., has been recognized as the University of Florida College of Health Professions’ Teacher of the Year for her enthusiastic approach to teaching, compassion for her students and sense of humor in the classroom.

A second-time Teacher of the Year award winner, Dasler has taught in the occupational therapy department since 1985 with a three-year break for part-time clinical work after the birth of her son. She teaches a series of three courses related to psychosocial dysfunction, evaluation and treatment in the department’s entry-level master’s program.

An experienced practitioner, Dasler is known for providing insight into real-life clinical situations for her students. She also incorporates her own love of acting into her classroom approach.

“I believe in role play and getting my students involved in it as well,” Dasler said. “Also, there is nothing like a good clinical story to illustrate points or to operationalize a concept. It makes material come alive. When students come back after graduation, they often tell me how well prepared they felt for psychosocial clinical placements.

It tickles me when they say ‘Ms. Dasler, it’s just the way you said it would be.’ What do they think? That I sit at home making this stuff up?”