OISE celebrates outstanding faculty
April 4, 2017
Congratulations to Professor Judith Wiener, Professor Coleen Scully-Stewart, Lisa Dack, and Tina Zita — recipients of the 2017 OISE Teaching Excellence Awards.
The Awards honour excellence in four categories: graduate education, contributions to teaching, teacher education, and continuing and professional learning.
On the occasion of announcing the winners, OISE Dean Glen Jones, said: “The Teaching Excellence Awards recognize faculty and instructors who have made enormous contributions to teaching and learning in our Institute, and we are extremely pleased to see their hard work recognized in this important way.”
The winners were were honoured at the OISE Staff and Teaching Excellence Awards reception on March 30. Learn more about the faculty award winners below.
Read about the Staff Excellence Award winners
David E. Hunt Award for Excellence in Graduate Education
The David E. Hunt Award for Excellence in Graduate Education recognises faculty members who foster an enriching teaching and learning experience and impact on graduate students, and demonstrate excellence in teaching and supervision at the graduate level.
This year’s winner of the David E. Hunt Award for Excellence in Graduate Education is Professor Judith Wiener, Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development. Nominated by a group of colleagues and doctoral students, Professor Wiener is considered a “gold standard” within the Department and at OISE when it comes to supervision and the mentoring of graduate students.
Over the course of her career, she has supervised an astounding number of students through to successful completion of their graduate work while setting high academic standards and helping her students make substantial and meaningful contributions to the field. Many of Professor Wiener’s graduates are now enjoying productive careers in diverse settings including academia, schools, communities, mental health and private settings, and are making a difference in lives of children, adolescents and their families across Canada and around the world.
Award for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching
The Award for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching recognizes OISE’s faculty who have continually demonstrated deep commitment to excellence in teaching, and have made outstanding contributions to teaching at OISE.
This year’s winner of the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching is Coleen Scully-Stewart, Lecturer, Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education. Nominated by her students and colleagues, Coleen’s teaching sparks thoughtful reflection and participation and she creates a safe space in her classroom for students to grapple with complex content.
Her students are captivated by her knowledge and enthusiasm, and creative ways in which she engages them in the learning process. Coleen’s ability to bring the issues from course readings to life by relating to her own rich experiences and encouraging her students to do the same is remarkable. A seasoned and talented educator, Coleen goes beyond the call of duty to support her students both during and outside of classes, and guide them
Award for Excellence in Initial Teacher Education
The Award for Excellence in Initial Teacher Education recognizes faculty and instructors who demonstrate outstanding contributions to teaching and learning in teacher education programs at OISE.
This year’s recipient of the Award for Excellence in Initial Teacher Education is Lisa Dack, Instructor in the Master of Teaching and the Master of Arts in Child Study and Education programs. An excellent teacher educator, Lisa has been developing and teaching courses in OISE’s teacher education programs for more than nine years. Prior to teaching in OISE’s two graduate teacher education programs, she was the course facilitator and instructor in the University of Toronto Concurrent Teacher Education Program. Lisa brings curriculum to life for her students by providing personal examples and giving her students the opportunity to share and reflect on their own personal experiences. As students navigate complicated teacher education pathways, often characterized by heavy workloads and significant stress, Lisa is s always there to encourage them by modeling a commitment to student well-being.
Excellence in Continuing and Professional Learning
The Award for Excellence in Continuing and Professional Learning recognizes additional qualifications instructors and facilitators for outstanding contributions to teaching and learning in continuing education at OISE.
This year’s winner of the Award for Excellence in Continuing and Professional Learning is Tina Zita, Facilitator of Junior Basic and Primary Basic Additional Qualifications courses at OISE. Tina has an excellent reputation both among her colleagues in the Peel District School Board where she is a Curriculum Consultant, and beyond her school board.
A dedicated educator and school leader, Tina has been teaching additional qualification courses at OISE for nearly a decade. Her course evaluations are consistently very strong, and students characterize her as an exceptional educator who models not only the best practice but also innovation in her teaching. Other facilitators are thrilled to teach with Tina in the same session so that they can benefit from her collegial and team approach towards making OISE a place where exceptional teaching and learning happen.
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