Rate My Professor Garett Yoder

Dr. Garett Yoder is a Professor in the Department of Physics, Geosciences, and Astronomy at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky. He earned a B.A. from Goshen College, an M.S. in Physics from Auburn University, and a Ph.D. in Physics from Auburn University, completing his doctorate between 1993 and 1998. His research and academic interests focus on theoretical and computational solid state physics and physics education.

In his career at Eastern Kentucky University, Yoder has served as coordinator for physics courses, as listed in university catalogs, and as a member of the Faculty Senate. He participated in the Faculty Innovators Program within the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CSTEM), developing project-based models grounded in the scholarship of teaching and learning. As a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) leader, he advanced educational initiatives. Yoder contributed to transforming introductory physics courses into active-engagement studio formats with National Science Foundation support, co-authoring 'Rapid conversion of traditional introductory physics sequences to an active-engagement studio format' in the Journal of STEM Education. His publications include 'Using classical probability functions to illuminate the relation between classical and quantum physics' in the American Journal of Physics (2006) and 'Interactive lecture demonstrations' in The Physics Teacher (2010). He presented 'Creating Powerful Educational Experiences in a General Education Astronomy Course' at the American Association of Physics Teachers Summer Meeting in 2023 with colleagues Mark Pitts, Jessica Lair, and Jing Wang. Yoder mentored the 2019 honors thesis 'Magnetism and Feminism: Identifying the Marginalized Women of Physics' by Katherine Stuart.