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.

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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.

Discover more from Teaching Excellence and Innovation 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.

Discover more from Teaching Excellence and Innovation

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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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• 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.