From making chemistry greener to examining the aesthetics of Blackness in popular culture, University of Toronto professors are constantly developing new ways to advance learning and engage students in the classroom and beyond.
Six of U of T's innovative educators were recently recognized with the Cheryl Regehr Early Career Teaching Awards , named for U of T's former vice-president and provost Cheryl Regehr, a professor in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and a longtime champion of teaching excellence and innovation at the university.
"These early-career scholars and teachers have put student learning first and demonstrate through their teaching how important students are to U of T and to the future of research and scholarship," said Heather Boon, vice-provost, faculty and academic life, at a recent reception for the award-winners.
Susan McCahan, associate vice-president and vice-provost, digital strategies and vice-provost, innovations in undergraduate education, added that she's "extremely proud of the immense talent and experience of our faculty, and the deep commitment we have to bringing knowledge and research to life for our students."
U of T News spoke with all six award winners about their teaching focus and approach to educating students:
Shelby Riskin
Assistant professor, teaching stream - department of ecology and evolutionary biology, Faculty of Arts & Science
With a keen interest in the impact of global change on organisms and ecosystems, Riskin wants her students to gain first-hand experience with environmental challenges.
"I try to make sure students get their hands dirty, whether that's in the field, in the lab or in discussion about the human impact on ecosystems and organisms. I take students on a field trip to the Koffler Scientific Reserve for soil sampling and deploying carbon dioxide detectors that students build themselves. Hands-on experiences with passionate teachers profoundly shaped my own life and career, and I strive to inspire others as I was inspired."
Naomi Levy-Strumpf
Assistant professor, teaching stream - human biology program, Faculty of Arts & Science
Committed to providing innovative and unique learning experiences, Levy-Strumpf develops e-learning modules, multifaceted biotechnology curriculum and experiential learning opportunities.
"I am passionately committed to providing students with innovative and unique learning experiences. I strive to facilitate engaging and meaningful learning opportunities that build strong foundational knowledge while fostering holistic development of my students. My goal is to foster leadership, innovation and resourcefulness, enabling and empowering students to reach their full potential and fulfil their life aspirations."
John De Backere
Assistant professor, teaching stream - department of chemistry, Faculty of Arts & Science
De Backere is passionate about green and sustainable chemistry education and his teaching focuses on enriching students' laboratory experiences.
"My goal as an educator has always been to enrich students' learning experiences and drive the continual evolution of chemistry education through thoughtful curriculum renewal, reform and innovation. I'm extremely proud of what we've achieved so far, such as developing new teaching laboratories that provide students with more authentic and contextualized research-like experiences while simultaneously embedding principles of green and sustainable chemistry - preparing students to address future challenges responsibly."
Aditi Mehta
Assistant professor, teaching stream - urban studies program and department of geography and planning, Faculty of Arts & Science
To instill civic values in her students, Mehta designs courses and research projects in collaboration with non-profit organizations for the purpose of social change.
"One of the overarching purposes of my teaching is to explore the drivers of urban inequality and to imagine how can we build places where everyone has access to basic needs, rights, opportunity, economic mobility and the freedom to design a better future.
Through my community-engaged teaching, I aim to advance the democratic production of knowledge and social change by elevating the position of underrepresented and marginalized communities in academic discourse. I expose students to neighbourhoods and communities that may differ from their own and I value each student's situated knowledge as a vital contribution to our collective learning. Drawing from my experiences as a city-building practitioner in affordable housing policy and community development, I design educational experiences that equip my students to become compassionate changemakers in the city."
Lisa Zhang
Assistant professor, teaching stream - department of mathematical and computational science, U of T Mississauga
With an emphasis on undergraduate engagement and mentorship, Zhang's interests include writing education and artificial intelligence education within computer science.
"Excellent teaching is creative. It develops foundational skills, it is social, it is introspective, it lets us imagine, it grounds us in our responsibilities and it is radically kind and inclusive. Excellent teaching is too many conflicting things to be embodied by a person.
I'm fortunate to work in an environment where students routinely encounter excellent instructors, allowing my teaching to focus on not just my values but my strengths: building fundamental skills in authentic ways. I'm grateful for a collaborative environment where students, TAs and colleagues are celebrated."
Lauren Cramer
Assistant professor - Cinema Studies Institute, Faculty of Arts & Science
Known by students for her "transformative" teaching style, Cramer's research focuses on the aesthetics of Blackness and pop culture with published writing that explores everything from Jay-Z videos to Meghan Markle's wedding.
"Teaching is truly the centre of my scholarly praxis. The advances I make in my research are all, in some way, a result of the time spent in the classroom. Here, where students are looking to me to make sense of the material and explain the purpose of advanced study in our precarious time, I'm constantly pushed to become a better reader and writer. So, at the same time I'm honoured to receive this teaching award, I'd like to express my gratitude to U of T's students for being such wonderful interlocutors."
