UIW Associate Professor Named Educator of the Year
Dr. Yutaka Maki Honored by the Texas Optometric Association
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that Dr. Yutaka Maki, an Associate Professor in the Rosenberg School of Optometry, was honored as the Educator of the Year by the Texas Optometric Association. The award was announced during the 125th Texas Optometric Association Annual Summit held in Austin in February.
Maki has been with the Rosenberg School of Optometry for nearly 13 years. He says his goal as an educator is to foster both academic excellence and personal growth. To achieve those goals, Maki builds his teaching around three core pillars: high expectations, accountability and support.
“I set clear, high expectations because I believe students rise to the level of challenge placed before them,” explains Maki. “However, expectations alone are not enough – students need accountability to stay engaged and focused. I assess students frequently, provide timely feedback, and ensure they understand their progress. At the same time, I offer strong support through open communication, accessibility, additional learning materials and individualized guidance. I encourage students to ask questions, seek help, and collaborate with peers. By balancing these three pillars, I create a learning environment where students feel both challenged and cared for.”
Maki grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from University of Massachusetts with bachelor’s degrees in physics and biology. He taught high school math in New York City while completing a master’s degree in education. Maki graduated from the State University of New York College of Optometry where he also completed the Dr. Irwin B. Suchoff Residency Program in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation.
Maki wanted to thank all those who helped him achieve this honor including God for giving him strength and grace, his wife, McKenna, for her prayers and support and his students among others. As he concludes, “I am also grateful to the leadership team, my fellow faculty members and the entire community that has supported my journey and shared in this vision for excellence in education.”
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