The Laurier Teaching Podcast: Recent Episodes
Teaching and Learning at Laurier
The Teaching Excellence and Innovation team at Laurier help shape, inspire and celebrate exceptional teaching and learning experiences inside and outside the classroom. Our podcast celebrates incredible teaching, tells stories about impactful educational experiences, and provides insight and a deep look at critical avenues of higher education.
Early Career Excellence award recipient Christian Danve Castroverde from Laurier's Biology department shares how he designs large courses around big picture questions that frame learning, spark curiosity, and reveal science as an evolving, debatable process rather than a body of rote facts to be memorized. Rooted in universal design principles to increase access for all students, Danve structures lectures for engagement using narrative, moments of surprise, and active learning throughout class.
Danve also reflects on his care-centred mentorship approach where he welcomes students from all levels into his lab and develops personalized mentoring plans that puts students first. He shares how his student journal clubs help demystify scientific papers and build confidence in students, preparing them for their own research publications and conference presentations. To further prepare students with future-ready skills, Danve offers a practical blueprint to help students critically engage with generative AI as a tool for analysis rather than a shortcut.
Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
A practicing lawyer and dedicated educator, Jeff Boich from Laurier's Political Science department and recipient of the 2025 part-time Sustained Excellence in Teaching award, discusses how he brings the realities of legal practice into the classroom. Rather than relying primarily on textbooks, he teaches through real cases, current headlines, and experiential learning activities that help students practice legal principles in real world and authentic ways. Jeff designs assessments that develop professional legal skills through coaching Laurier's Moot Court team to repeated championships, providing mentorship as students take increasing ownership of their learning and inviting past students and practicing layers to share the skills they learned here at Laurier.
Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
Lucy Luccisano from Laurier's Sociology department and recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Internationalization Award, reflects on a teaching and mentorship philosophy rooted in love, empathy, and deep care for students. She shares how international and intercultural learning experiences—especially short-term and group exchanges—can be powerfully transformative while remaining accessible to more students than traditional study abroad programs.
Lucy also highlights the critical role of partnerships in meaningful global learning, from collaborating with Laurier International and campus colleagues to bringing global guest speakers directly into the classroom using technology. She offers practical insights into internationalization at home, showing how faculty can create rich, globally connected learning experiences even when travel isn't possible. At the heart of her teaching is a commitment to building communities, both locally and across borders, that reduce isolation, foster belonging, and empower students through mentorship, collaboration, and shared learning.
Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier: https://bit.ly/award-winning-faculty
Maryam Khan from Laurier's Faculty of Social Work, and recipient of the 2025 Faculty Mentoring Award, brings authenticity, care, community, and courage into every aspect of their teaching and mentorship. Maryam builds classroom and mentoring relationships rooted in trust and accountability where students take ownership of their learning and engage in critical conversations. Maryam shares advice for creating peer mentoring communities for students that helps reduce isolation, loneliness, and build networks that carry on into professional practice. Maryam models how educators can teach with authenticity, invite growth through dialogue, and sustain lifelong communities of learning and support.
Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier and discover more from Laurier's Teaching Excellence and Innovation team.
Christos Shiamptanis, from Laurier's Economics department in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, and recipient of the 2025 Innovation in Teaching Award, shares how he transforms economics education through experiential learning, storytelling, and inclusive classroom design. From rethinking assessment rubrics to creating opportunities for quieter students to shine, his approach is about building confidence, skills, and curiosity that last well beyond the semester.
Christos reflects on the challenges and opportunities of hyflex teaching, the value of learning through practice, and why the journey of education is more important than the final grade. By removing barriers, encouraging diverse voices, and connecting theory to real-world experiences, he shows how innovative teaching can prepare students for success in their studies, careers, and communities.
Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier: https://bit.ly/award-winning-faculty
Steve Risavy, from the Lazaridis School for Business and Economics and recipient of the 2025 Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award, shares his approach to teaching and learning, centred on authenticity and the importance of having fun in the classroom. Steve creates a classroom environment where students can take risks, feel safe asking questions, and see their feedback put into action. Leaning into the energy students bring into the classroom, Steve utilizes music, group activities, reflection and formative feedback techniques to promote engaged, confident, and inspired students in his courses.
Outside of class, he is a trusted mentor who continues to guide students well beyond graduation. From helping students negotiate job offers to offering advice on professional challenges, Steve remains a steady presence in their career journeys. Colleagues call him a go-to source for teaching advice, and former students regularly return to him for career support, encouragement, and to share their experience with future classes.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
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2024 Hoffman-Little Award winner Elizabeth Mitchell from Laurier’s Faculty of Music shares her journey into music therapy and the connective power of music in helping people express emotions, memories, and experiences.
She discusses the importance of improvisation, versatility, and self-awareness, skills that allow practitioners to meet clients where they are and engage them in dynamic ways, whether in hospitals or community settings. She prepares students for clinical settings by integrating theory with hands-on experience, ensuring students develop both technical musical skills and interpersonal competencies to best serve the diverse clients that these students will support. A passionate advocate for decolonizing music therapy, Elizabeth shares how she works to amplify Indigenous voices and ensure that diverse musical traditions are valued in musical therapy practices. She weaves these perspectives throughout the curriculum to foster a more holistic and inclusive approach to music therapy education that leaves a lasting impact on both students and community members.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
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Marybeth White from Laurier’s Religion and Culture Department and recipient of the 2024 Sustained Excellence Teaching Award, shares insights on fostering a student-centered learning environment grounded in compassion, flexibility and inclusive design.
Marybeth discusses the changes she’s seen in students throughout her career, including what students are better at now than when she started and what they need more support on. She reflects on how teaching is a continual process of learning and adaptation, responding to the evolving needs of students through flexibility and innovation. Marybeth shares ways she’s creatively reimagined her course design to focus on essential takeaways and diverse assessment methods, such as quizzes, reflective journals, presentations, and an optional final exam based on a student’s individual learning journey. Marybeth explores the importance of creating brave spaces for discussion and how she encourages students to engage critically and compassionately with diverse perspectives as keys to growth, as well as how she uses Universal Design principles to provide multiple ways for students to demonstrate their learning.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier: https://bit.ly/award-winning-faculty
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Join 2024 Faculty Mentoring Award recipient Michael Woodford from Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work as he shares how some of the mentors along his personal and professional journey impacted him, the importance of sharing power in mentoring relationships, and the value of creating spaces where students can thrive as their authentic selves. Whether navigating difficult conversations, developing adaptable work plans, or helping students build lasting professional networks, his mentorship philosophy centers on collaboration, reflexivity, and meeting students where they are. Michael’s mentorship is built on experience and vulnerability and he discusses how faculty can empower students, foster inclusive and interpersonal learning environments, and reflects on how great mentoring shapes not only academic success but also lifelong growth.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
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Avis Beek from Laurier’s Faculty of Education and the recipient of the 2024 Early Career Excellence Award shares her hands-on, kinesthetic approach to STEM education. Through creative activities that include slime-making, terrarium building, and even live animals(!), Avis sparks curiosity and fosters collaborative and inclusive learning environments. Informed by her international teaching experiences, she integrates diverse Black, Indigenous and racialized voices, role models and cultural perspectives into her classes, empowering students to see themselves reflected in both STEM fields and the educational sector. Her STEMovation program fosters excitement and in-community support for STEM education by connecting local underserved communities with opportunities to engage in science learning alongside their families. In showing students how to be culturally responsive in their teaching and embrace experiential learning, she is helping to shape the next generation of STEM educators to create welcoming and vibrant educational experiences for their students.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
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Jeremy Hunsinger from Laurier's Communication Studies department and recipient of the 2024 Innovation in Teaching Award, shares his approach to creating a student-centered, studio-like classroom environment. Jeremy discusses how he integrates active learning from the very first class by having students co-create the course syllabus. His approach to grading, which focuses on specification grading and intrinsic motivation, challenges students to exceed standards rather than just meet them. Jeremy fosters critical thinking and reflection while building a passion for lifelong learning in students by encouraging connections across disciplines and the thoughtful use of technology in everyday life.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
Elaine Cheng from Laurier’s Archaeology and Heritage Studies program and 2024 Early Career Excellence winner shares how she guides students through classroom and field experiences that blend real-world challenges with a mix of career-integrated and experiential learning. Elaine emphasizes the importance of both hands-on fieldwork and in-class activities to help students develop critical skills in teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving. Her inclusive course design invites students to explore personal interests, engage in debates, and learn how to approach ethical issues in heritage studies. By blending theoretical concepts with current events, she shows students how archaeology connects to contemporary issues and how students can meaningfully apply their degrees in the heritage sector.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier!
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Simona Pruteanu from Laurier's Languages and Literatures department and recipient of the 2024 Excellence in Internationalization Award, shares her passion for creating a multicultural and inclusive curriculum that incorporates guest speakers, creative assessments like storytelling and comic book creation, and career-integrated learning opportunities. She discusses how teaching entirely in French helps students build linguistic confidence and how the pandemic reshaped student engagement in the classroom. Simona reflects on the impact of technology on language learning, the effects generative AI tools are having on language education, and why technology cannot replace the interpersonal aspect of language learning.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier: https://bit.ly/award-winning-faculty
Explore more from the Teaching Excellence and Innovation Team at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Max Gwynn from Laurier’s Psychology Department and recipient of the 2024 Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award reflects on his mentors and the teachers who have shaped him as an educator, and discusses the importance of stories, humour, and personal anecdotes on engaging students. He shares how his focus on increasing students’ self-efficacy allows them to overcome their math anxieties and carry their newfound problem-solving abilities into their personal and professional lives. Max shares his strategies for keeping large classes engaged, including crafting lectures with narrative arcs and ensuring that students have opportunities to participate, and offers advice for colleagues on the importance of sharing their authentic selves with students.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier: https://bit.ly/award-winning-faculty
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Sara Klinck from Laurier's Music Therapy program and recipient of the 2023 Sustained Excellence Award in the Part-time Category shares her journey from a clinical music therapist to an inspiring educator, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery, humility, and lifelong learning in her pedagogical approach. Sara’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment shines through as she prepares students to handle weighty subjects such as end-of-life care. She discusses the integration of clinical experiences into her courses, the significance of universal design for learning, and the delicate balance of professional and personal well-being.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier: https://bit.ly/award-winning-faculty
Discover more from the Teaching Excellence and Innovation Team
Professor [NJ1] Scott Nicholson from Laurier’s Game Design and Development program shares his passion for creating unique and inspiring learning experiences through games. Not only does Scott teach about games, he also weaves meaningful gamification principles throughout his teaching, igniting students’ interest in both the subject matter, and their own learning. Scott discusses his student-centred approach to motivating students with customized learning paths that foster intrinsic motivation and empower students to learn through exploration and play.
He shares his experiences with integrating AI tools into teaching, helping students navigate these new technologies in their work, and how he uses gamification to help students build confidence. He offers advice for other instructors on incorporating meaningful gamification principles into their courses to make learning more engaging and effective.
Resources and Articles
- A RECIPE for Meaningful Gamification http://s
- Exploring Gamification Techniques for Classroom Management
- Completing the Experience: Debriefing in Experiential Educational Games
- EscapeIF: Educational Storytelling Games for Low-Resource Classrooms
Find Scott on the web at scottnicholson.com
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Danielle Law from Laurier's Psychology and Youth and Children's Studies programs and recipient of the 2023 Faculty Mentoring Award, shares her mentorship philosophy rooted in trust, support, and mutual respect. She explains how her emphasis on "red means love" in her grading shifts the way students receive academic feedback, fostering a positive, student-centered and growth-oriented environment.
Danielle describes how she built the Child and Adolescent Research and Education (C.A.R.E.) Lab and shares the complexities and rewards of mentoring large teams while promoting peer mentorship among students. She also@ offers ideas about how effective mentorship practices can be implemented to nurture the next generation of scholars and community leaders.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
Discover more from the Teaching Excellence and Innovation Team
Robert Ame from Laurier’s Human Rights and Human Diversity delves into his comprehensive approach towards enriching educational experiences through internationalization. He shares his journey as an international student from Ghana to Norway and Canada and how those experiences shaped his teaching philosophy centered on the value of cross-cultural knowledge. Robert highlights the significance of creating inclusive educational environments that embrace a global perspective and shares his belief in the potential for academic pursuits to lead to meaningful societal change. He talks about establishing bi-directional international partnerships and illustrates the profound impact of these programs on fostering community among international students, combating isolation, and promoting cultural exchange.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
Amilah Baksh from Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work shares her holistic approach to education, which acknowledges the significance of positionality and identity and invites both educators and students to bring their entire selves into the classroom. Amilah discusses how establishing classroom community guidelines sets a foundation for respectful and supportive discussions on challenging topics. Explore how Amilah incorporates critical reflective journals as activities to encourage students to develop deep, personal introspection and insight into their experiences, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
Discover more from the Teaching Excellence and Innovation Team
2023 Early Career Excellence Award recipient Lisa Kuron from Laurier’s leadership program discusses her student-centered teaching approach which emphasizes being a 'guide on the side', utilizing classroom space creatively for diverse learning experiences, and instilling excitement about learning right from the first class. Lisa highlights the importance of creating a sense of belonging using strategies to get to know her students and build community, shares ice-breaking exercises and relationship-building techniques and reflects on co-teaching.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
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2023 Hoffman-Little award recipient Hind Al-Abadleh from Laurier’s Chemistry and Biochemistry Department discusses integrating science with societal and environmental issues, employing effective strategies for large classes, and promoting a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving. She reflects on her approach to self-care, how she helps students build patience and perseverance, and discusses the importance of bringing diverse talent into the Sciences and inspiring them to ask visionary questions.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
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2023 Staff Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Anne-marie Joy Henry from Laurier International shares the travels that have taken her across Canada and around the globe. These foundational intercultural experiences deeply inform her approach in her current role at Laurier, where she engages students in rich discussions of complex issues in the classroom and supports their preparation for international study. Anne-marie shares strategies she uses to guide conversations and cultivate a more open, insightful, and reflective educational journey that emphasizes the transformative power of curiosity and diversity.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
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2023 Innovation in Teaching recipient Jonathan Finn, from Laurier’s Communication Studies department, reflects on how his unique self-tracking pedagogy not only fosters ownership among learners but also encourages reflection beyond the classroom. Jonathan helps students to co-create their learning environments and personalise their learning, and discusses how low-tech innovations and getting students off screens can be powerful for creating deep and meaningful reflections and connections in the classroom.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.
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2023 Sustained Excellence in Teaching recipient Tracy Snoddon, from Laurier’s Economics department joins Debora VanNijnatten, academic director of Teaching Excellence and Innovation to discuss her efforts to connect with students individually and create an impactful and supportive learning environment, emphasizing real-world applications, active teaching approaches, and centring care in her classroom.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier: https://bit.ly/award-winning-faculty
Find out more about Teaching Excellence and Innovation at Laurier: https://bit.ly/m/tei-team
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Shauansea Brown in Laurier’s Communication Studies department discusses how she creates an environment where students can have difficult conversations safely by building trust and a collective care ethic in her classroom. Dr. Brown discusses how she encourages students to bring their lived experiences into her course. She also helps students unpack and discuss new ways of seeing and understanding, creating a supportive framework that gives students the responsibility for taking care of themselves and each other.
Follow Shaunasea Brown on Instagram: @drshaunasea
Hosted by Alesha Moffat, educational developer
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Michael Woodford from Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work discusses creating supportive and inclusive classrooms and campuses that support 2SLGBTQ+ students and faculty. Michael’s research work on large studies like Thriving on Campus helps campus communities understand how to better support the needs of diverse 2SLGBTQ+ students in and beyond the classroom, and he shares strategies that listeners can use to build inclusive campus spaces and classrooms, along with ways to pre-empt and diffuse microaggressions. Hosted by Laurier undergraduate student Belle O’Neill. Resources discussed: * Thriving on Campus * Querying Higher Education * The LGBQ Microaggressions on Campus Scale * The NAME Steps for addressing microagressions * SPECTRUM Centre in Waterloo * OK2BME.ca * Laurier’s Bystander Training program * The Laurier Pride Guide for faculty and staff * Learn more about Brantford’s Queersphere and Waterloo’s Rainbow Centre
Laurier faculty, staff and students can explore recorded programming and resources about microagressions in the classroom and inclusive teaching strategies on Connect.
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Steve MacNeil from Laurier’s Chemistry and Biochemistry department discusses his journey from a blended and flipped classroom into scaffolding a metacognition co-curriculum throughout his courses to help students reflect not only on what they know, but on how they learn. Steve talks about how techniques like collaborative testing and IF-AT cards have deepened students’ learning in his courses, why it’s necessary to scaffold students through new pedagogies, how instructors can start building metacognitive components into their courses, and how a metacognition co-curriculum can help instructors navigate academic integrity alongside generative AI tools.
Explore Steve’s Work:
- Exploring the Influence of Multiple-Choice Test Formats on Student Performance | Wood, E., Klausz, N., MacNeil, S. (2022)
- Learning Task Inventories, Exploration of Optimal Conditions to Help Students Develop, Improve and Sustain Good Study and Learning Practices | MacNeil, S., Wood, E., (2014)
- The Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique (IF-AT) in a Large Enrollment Introductory Organic Chemistry Course | MacNeil, S. (2011)
- Learning Task Inventories (LTIs) in Introductory Organic Chemistry | MacNeil, S., Wood, E. (2013)
- Follow Steve on Twitter (@SteveMacNeil9)
Faculty Mentoring Award recipient Paula Fletcher from Laurier’s Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education joins Mary Wilson, vice-provost of Teaching and Learning, in conversation to discuss how she helps build confidence in students, the importance of faculty mentoring one another and the mentors who have shaped her journey.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Recipients are recognized for both long-standing and early-career excellence, for being classroom innovators and mentors, and for embedding internationalization into their curriculum and pedagogy.
Resources mentioned in the discussion:
- Laurier’s guide to mentorship is available to Laurier instructors on MyLearningSpace by self-registering in “Best Practices in Mentorship”
- Explore Laurier’s Researcher Handbook from the Office of Research Services
- Find out about the Laurier Graduate Enhancement Fund’s projects and apply for funding
- Learn about the Sun Life Centre for Physically Active Communities (CPAC). More information about physically active programs like Movin’ N Groovin’
- Discover the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Laurier
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Staff Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning recipient Lydia Awuah-Mensah from Laurier’s Career Development Centre joins Mary Wilson, vice-provost of Teaching and Learning, in conversation to discuss how she helps students reflect on their skill development, navigate transformative volunteer experiences and make meaning of the “Aha” moments in their lives.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Recipients are recognized for both long-standing and early-career excellence, for being classroom innovators and mentors, and for embedding internationalization into their curriculum and pedagogy.
Resources mentioned in the discussion:
- Connect with Laurier’s Career Centre
- Read about Career Integrated Learning at Laurier
- Learn more about Laurier’s Non-Profit Sector Experiential certificate
- HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre
- Further education support and appointments
- Memorial University’s Career Integrated Learning Project | Rhonda Joy and Rob Shea
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Hoffman-Little Award recipient Michael Cinelli from Laurier’s Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education joins Mary Wilson, vice-provost of Teaching and Learning, in conversation to discuss his approach to mentorship, how he helps students find balance in their lives, and strategies he uses to create thriving classroom and lab environments.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Recipients are recognized for both long-standing and early-career excellence, for being classroom innovators and mentors, and for embedding internationalization into their curriculum and pedagogy.
Resources from the Discussion
Resources mentioned in the discussion:
- Example and impact of using IFAT cards
- Techniques for assessing through low-stakes quizzes like iClicker
- Kevin Orr, University of Huddersfield
- Active Learning resources for Laurier faculty
Recorded July 2022
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Laurier Teaching Fellow Richelle Monaghan from Laurier’s Community Health and Biology programs joins Mary Wilson, vice-provost of Teaching and Learning, in conversation to discuss creating community in the classroom, structuring courses with empathy and the impacts of embedding Universal Design for Learning into her teaching.
The Laurier Teaching Fellowship program cultivates a culture of teaching excellence and student success by harnessing the diverse skills and experiences of the fellowship community. Together with colleagues and Teaching and Learning, the Laurier Teaching Fellows advance teaching and learning at all levels of campus and community. Discover more about the Laurier Teaching Fellows.
Resources mentioned in the discussion:
- Integrating Universal Design for Learning principles
- Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge (Meyer and Land, 2006)
- Christopher Winch at King’s College, London
- Centre for Leading Research in Education (CLRiE)
- Inclusive Pedagogy resources for Laurier faculty
- Learn more about Richelle Monaghan
Recorded July 2022
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Early Career Excellence Award recipient Colin Labadie from Laurier’s Faculty of Music joins Mary Wilson, Laurier’s vice-provost of Teaching and Learning, in conversation to discuss creating supportive and inclusive classroom environments that allow instructors and students to inspire and improvise with one another, and the role that care and compassion play in teaching.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Recipients are recognized for both long-standing and early-career excellence, for being classroom innovators and mentors, and for embedding internationalization into their curriculum and pedagogy.
Discussion Resources
Resources mentioned in the discussion:
- Instructional Skills Workshop Network
- BOPPPS Lesson Planning
- Relationship-Rich Education: How Human Connections Drive Success in College, by Peter Felten and Leo M. Lambert
- Josh Eyler's talk at Laurier
- Robin DeRosa
- Maha Bali
Recorded July 2022
Innovation in Teaching Award recipient Michelle Skop from Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work joins Mary Wilson, vice-provost of Teaching and Learning, in conversation to discuss bringing simulation-based education into the Social Work classroom, centring community in teaching, and creating classrooms that flourish by being open to possibility.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Recipients are recognized for both long-standing and early-career excellence, for being classroom innovators and mentors, and for embedding internationalization into their curriculum and pedagogy.
Discussion Resources
- "From Safe Spaces to Brave Spaces: A New Way to Frame Dialogue Around Diversity and Social Justice," by Brian Arao and Kristi Clemens [PDF]
- "Moral education and caring," by Nel Noddings
- "Critical Pedagogy in a Time of Fascist Tyranny," by Henry Giroux
- Pedagogy of the oppressed, by Paulo Freire
Recorded July 2022
Early Career Excellence Award recipient Jennifer Holm from Laurier’s Faculty of Education joins Mary Wilson, vice-provost of Teaching and Learning, in conversation to discuss moving mathematics education forward, keeping the focus on students and their thinking, and leading by example in the classroom.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Recipients are recognized for both long-standing and early-career excellence, for being classroom innovators and mentors, and for embedding internationalization into their curriculum and pedagogy.
Recorded August 3, 2022
Sustained Excellence Award recipient Kevin Spooner, who teaches in Laurier’s North American Studies and History programs, joins Mary Wilson, vice-provost of Teaching and Learning, in conversation to discuss his student-centred approach to teaching and reflect on the arc of his career, including being an early pioneer the flipped classroom, while sharing his hopes for the future of teaching and learning.
Laurier’s Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Recipients are recognized for both long-standing and early-career excellence, for being classroom innovators and mentors, and for embedding internationalization into their curriculum and pedagogy.
Recorded August 3, 2022
Resources mentioned in the discussion:
- "The Scholarship of Teaching: What's the Problem?" by Randy Bass [PDF]