Conversations about Teaching Excellence

Inspiring discussions with Laurier's instructional community about teaching excellence.

Teaching Excellence: A Laurier Conversation Series features discussions between Mary Wilson, Laurier’s former vice-provost: Teaching and Learning, and the recent winners of the Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence, as well as Teaching Fellow Richelle Monaghan.

The series delves into critical conversations on innovative and inclusive approaches to teaching, mentorship, student-centred learning, and the future of higher education. 

You can also listen to the Conversation Series on Teaching and Learning's new Laurier Teaching Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts. 

 


 

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Richelle Monaghan

Richelle Monaghan – Setting Students Up for Transformational Learning 

Laurier Teaching Fellow Richelle Monaghan from Laurier’s Community Health and Biology programs joins Mary Wilson, former 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: 

Paula Fletcher

Paula Fletcher: Mentoring Students for Broad Possibilities

Faculty Mentoring Award recipient Paula Fletcher from Laurier’s Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education joins Mary Wilson, former 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:  

Michael Cinelli

Michael Cinelli: Celebrating the Journey of Learning

Hoffman-Little Award recipient Michael Cinelli from Laurier’s Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education joins Mary Wilson, former 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 mentioned in the discussion:  

Lydia Awuah-Mensah

Lydia Awuah-Mensah: Helping Students Reflect on Volunteer Experiences

Staff Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning recipient Lydia Awuah-Mensah from Laurier’s Career Development Centre joins Mary Wilson, former 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:

Kevin Spooner

Kevin Spooner: Helping Students Rise to the Occasion  

Sustained Excellence Award recipient Kevin Spooner, who teaches in Laurier’s North American Studies and History programs, joins Mary Wilson, former 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.

Resources mentioned in the discussion:

Michelle Skop

Michelle Skop: Finding New Ways to Learn Together

Innovation in Teaching Award recipient Michelle Skop from Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work joins Mary Wilson, former 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.   

Resources mentioned in the discussion:

Colin Labadie

Colin Labadie: Tuning Into Your Classroom

Early Career Excellence Award recipient Colin Labadie from Laurier’s Faculty of Music joins Mary Wilson, Laurier’s former 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.

Resources mentioned in the discussion:

Jennifer Holm

Jennifer Holm: Making Math Education Approachable

Early Career Excellence Award recipient Jennifer Holm from Laurier’s Faculty of Education joins Mary Wilson, former 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.