2008 in Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award Winners
Tertiary Teaching Excellence 2008 – Awardee Background Information
Listed alphabetically by surname.
Dr Hamish Anderson, Department of Economics and Finance, Massey University.
Hamish never intended to be a teacher, but after one year in what he assumed would be a short term contract he was “hooked”. Thirteen years later, he is still using student feedback and results to develop different ways of teaching and assessing finance papers in the Department. Early in his career, feedback identified that he “needed to engage students more, use his own enthusiasm for the subject to greater advantage, and (given the complexity of the subject) ensure that theory was clearly connected to practice”. Hamish’s portfolio describes how this and much more have been achieved. In face to face classes, extramural delivery and block courses in both New Zealand and China, Hamish is able to match teaching strategies with learning outcomes in a way that breaks down the “Berlin Wall size barriers” many students associate with learning about finance. His consistently positive student evaluations and many accolades from colleagues confirm his sustained commitment to excellence in teaching.
View Hamish's Teaching Profile
Julia Bruce, Hairdressing Tutor, Centre for Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec).
Julia “encourages students to have big dreams”. Throughout her 13 year teaching career she has continued to engage in study to develop her own knowledge and skills thus modelling life-long learning to her students and peers. Julia seeks to provide authentic learning opportunities for her students as evidenced by them taking part in the 2007 Hospice Waikato Fundraiser. Her teaching philosophy of collaborative practice, authentic learning and flexible delivery arises from her own experiences as a hairdressing trainee. She has a warm, friendly teaching style and well organized lessons that demonstrate to the students that she cares about achievement and is committed to helping them in their learning. Julia maintains her skills and links with the industry by visiting and working in salons, taking part in seminars, conferences and hairdressing competitions. This is extended by her industry leadership role as Vice President of the Waikato Association of Hairdressers.
Dr Lisa Emerson, Senior Lecturer, School of English and Media Studies, Massey University. (Supreme Award Winner)
Lisa has been engaged in tertiary education for 19 years and has an exceptional track record of teaching both within her own discipline and in communications to science and technology students. She opens her portfolio by stating, “It is my great privilege and joy to be a teacher of writers”. Lisa focuses her teaching philosophy on each student as an individual, developing learning communities for all classes, whether face-to-face or extramural, “where each student can share their work in a safe, dynamic environment”. The variety and breadth of teaching and assessment Lisa uses are impressive, with her commitment evident in all she does. Many people have benefited from Lisa’s “Interactive Grammar!” e-learning tool and the open website for creative writers called “The Writery” which won the “People’s Choice web award in 2004: just one of the many prestigious awards and grants Lisa has received during her career. Colleagues and peers comment on Lisa’s sustained leadership and professionalism, “Her efforts and successes are outstanding”. Students recognise a teacher of excellence, “This paper was perfect…Lisa Emerson deserves accolades!”
Dr Dawn Garbett, Associate Dean Teaching & Learning, Faculty of Education, University of Auckland.
Dawn is a “highly popular, lively and compassionate teacher who cares deeply about her work to create confident, able teachers of science”, Although she has been teaching for 15 years, Dawn believes that she will always have more to learn about teaching, an inspiring prospect for her. Dawn bases her teaching on the belief that learning is highly individual, with her goal being to challenge “student teachers to construct their own understanding of what it is to be effective professionals in a complex environment without losing sight of their vision”. She considers the strength of her teaching to be her “commitment to look honestly and critically at all aspects of my practice”. Student and peer evaluations and comments demonstrate Dawn’s commitment to teacher education, from early childhood to secondary, her leadership qualities and her critical reflection. Dawn’s sustained excellence is demonstrated in her “teaching practice, research on teaching and learning and leadership”.
Professor John Hosking, Professor of Applied Computer Science, Department of Computer Science, University of Auckland.
John has been a university educator for 27 years. A strong belief in action-based learning has led John to develop “multi-disciplinary programmes [that] provide a holistic integration and contextualisation of more formal curriculum-based learning in real world situations”. His aim to “turn students into colleagues” guides all his teaching approaches whether formal or informal. John has undertaken numerous professional leadership roles within the university, such as the integral part he played in the establishment and development of the University of Auckland’s “HeadsUp” programme for new and aspiring Heads of Department and his strong advocacy for the Women in Leadership Programme. His extensive involvement with business includes the development of the CSI Academy for structured student internships and the new Extenda programme designed to support the development of research cultures in ICT companies, involving both company senior managers and in-company consultancy by Honours level students. Peers, members of the business world, former and current students speak highly of John as a great mentor, an exceptional research supervisor and someone who is always there when needed.
Dr Ian McAndrew, Senior Lecturer in Employment Relations, Department of Management, School of Business, University of Otago.
Ian came to New Zealand in 1987 with extensive scholarship and practice in labour and employment relationships gained in the United States. He draws on these experiences to develop successful undergraduate and honours courses. Ian’s philosophy is to ensure his students understand that theory and modelling and academic studies are a basis for being successful in work and life. Ian has an innate respect for and interest in his students. “I have never had any doubts about who I teach for. I teach for students. I have always respected their evaluations and have always sought them, read them, reflected on them, and learned from them”. Remaining active as a professional in labour relations himself, allows Ian to ensure his graduates have the best possible preparation for practice. His “Ponderosa County” negotiation exercise is well-known throughout the country. Ian’s portfolio is peppered with student endorsements of his enthusiasm and knowledge, summed up by the student who says, “Ian doesn’t just ‘teach’ a course, he lives and breathes it and inspires those who do it to live and breathe it as well”.
Dr John Reynolds, Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, University of Otago.
John has been teaching for 11 years. As a student he frequently felt out of his depth and struggled to ”integrate the constant barrage of new knowledge across many disciplines”. Reflecting on his experiences as a student and his own teaching performance, John aims “to be a teacher who would have helped and inspired the ‘me’ of a few years ago”. As a neurobiologist, John’s research interests in positive reinforcement mechanisms impact directly on his own approaches to teaching. Leading by “enthusiastic example”, John actively seeks student and colleague evaluation and feedback and uses these to shape his practice, with resulting comments such as “Dr Reynolds has been one of the best lecturers I’ve had. He has made me want to pursue a degree in Anatomy”. John has recently led the development and launch of a new first-year Human Body Systems paper with enrolments in excess of 1870 students. His Head of Department described this achievement as “inspirational” and “his commitment was total.”
Dr Sean Weaver, School of Geography, Environment and Earth Science at Victoria University.
Sean describes his students as “my favourite colleagues”. Sean’s dual career in education and environmental management over the past 20 years has enabled him to be the cornerstone of the Environment Studies undergraduate major. He brings to his classes “the commitment of an environmental activist and married it with the discipline of a very good scientist”. This means that his teaching is led by both research and practice in his discipline. Sean believes that 80% of good teaching is encouragement, for which he has many strategies. He also concludes that “action without reflection is ineffective, and reflection without action does not do anything”. To this end he draws on his diverse background, including work in Vanuatu and Fiji, the Education for Sustainability Contract funded by the Ministry of Education, and policy consultancy to develop current case studies for his students. Sean’s leadership and many contributions have been recognized by students and the university through a number of teaching awards over the past five years.
Dr Marc Wilson, Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington.
Marc has captured the “magic of learning” to inspire students to achieve. Over his 14 years of teaching, Marc’s approach has evolved from trial and error, to the development of a personal teaching style and philosophy, to teaching based on the scholarship of pedagogy. Most of Marc’s undergraduate teaching occurs in the largest paper in the School (over 800 students), which also is one of the foundation courses required for continuing study in psychology. Despite the size, nature and (for many) the complexity of the subject, Marc has developed a framework for course design and delivery that overcomes these potential barriers. Displaying strong leadership both within and beyond the university, Marc has had an integral involvement with Victoria University’s Te Ropu Awhina support programme for Māori and Pacific Nations students in the Faculty of Science. He is regularly involved in school visits, on-campus visits presents/teaches at the invitation of outside organisations. Marc’s summary is that learning should be “challenging but enjoyable, not taken-for-granted but intriguing and fresh, sometimes unexpected but always intellectually satisfying”.
Adrian Woodhouse, Catering Lecturer, Otago Polytechnic.
Adrian commenced teaching seven years ago, following a chance meeting with a previous lecturer. Adrian describes his teaching ambition as being to “inspire, motivate and teach them [students]” in a way that enables him to “Light the fire in their minds”. In order to achieve this goal, Adrian takes care to create a learning environment that embraces the diversity of his students and that ensures all students have the opportunity to contribute to and participate in the learning process. He regularly adopts an active, co-operative learning strategy in which students with different experiences and knowledge are paired, thus providing a collaborative learning effort. A particular strength of Adrian’s is his use of on-line technology that enables him to bring innovative approaches to his teaching thus providing flexibility in workplace learning practices. Remaining attentive and responsive to industry trends is vital in Adrian’s work. He is an active member of the New Zealand Chefs Association and works closely with industry and draws on feedback from colleagues, students and ITO moderators to reflect on and inform his practice.
View Adrian's Teaching Profile