A pile of letters sprawled across his desk, containing ransom notes and photographs with blurred faces is not unusual for Matthew Kearley, professor at Auburn University. The notes are not threatening but a result of a unique teaching tactic that Kearley uses with his students.
Kearley teaches Introduction to Biology, Survey of Life, Vertebrate Biodiversity, and Mentored Instruction. In his classes, Kearley uses a stuffed animal to keep the students engaged.
He will give the stuffed animal to one student at the beginning of class and ask them a question. If they get the answer right, then they can throw it to whoever they want and that person has to ask the next question.
"It kind of keeps the class engaged and kind of keeps everybody on their toes because even if they're not being asked the question, everybody is listening . . . to the question and trying to figure out whether or not they know the answer," Kearley said. "People kidnap the stuffed animal all of the time and they'll go and they'll take pictures with it and they'll blur out their faces."
Some students sent Kearley ransom notes as a joke detailing the location of the stuffed animal that has been to places like Destin, FL, Nashville, TN, and the University of Georgia.
Kearley jokes that as soon as they find a name for the stuffed animal, someone takes it and they have to get a new one.
Kearley is also known for his exceptional ability to know all of his student's names by the end of the semester, even in his large lecture classes, said Emma Brooks, sophomore in pre communication disorders. Brooks has had Kearley as a professor, and is also a GTA under Kearley.
"He has a really calm temperament and a funny sense of humor, so lots of times he would try to bring little anecdotes into class and that would kind of lighten the mood," Brooks said. "He likes to make class really interactive."
Every year, Brooks said either Kearley or one of his students dress up in a gorilla costume for Halloween. Last year, Brooks said Kearley asked her to do the honors and dress up as a gorilla for one of his classes.
"It was really a cool and unique experience," Brooks said. Chris Murray, graduate assistant, has known Kearley since fall of 2011. Murray said that what makes Kearley's teaching quality unique is the passion that he has for making sure his students are getting the most out of their education.
"I would say that he's probably the most . . . down to earth . . . loyal to his job, sort of motivated, dedicated person I've met at Auburn," Murray said. "He's very good at accomplishing tasks that he sets for himself, and if he, you know, sets his mind to something, he'll not only get it done, but get it done well and with passion."
Brooks said that Kearley is very approachable in allowing students to come to him for help. She said she went to his office hours frequently when she had him as a teacher, and that his class was structured in a way that if the student did the work, paid attention in class, and interacted, then they would do well.
Kearley has been an Auburn fan since he was a little boy when he used to come with his parents wearing a Bo Jackson jersey. Kearley completed his graduate and undergraduate schooling at Auburn, and began teaching while he was doing research.
When Kearley isn't teaching, he enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and being on the water.
"I'll stay here until I don't get fired up walking into the classroom anymore, and that hasn't happened yet." Kearley said. Kearley said he doesn't foresee that happening anytime soon.
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