Dear colleagues,
Educators hold a special and important role in our lives and communities. Through their dedication and expertise, they not only share valuable knowledge but also instill the values that support students to flourish and grow. In recognition of their crucial contributions, UBC Okanagan holds an annual celebration honouring exemplary role models who make significant impacts on the culture of teaching and learning on our campus with the Killam Teaching Prize and the Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation.
This year, we’re pleased to recognize outstanding recipients of the 2024 Teaching Awards:
Killam Teaching Prize
CHRISTINE SCHREYER | ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | IRVING K. BARBER FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Dr. Christine Schreyer is a renowned educator and researcher known for her constant collaboration that transcends traditional boundaries of academia to build bridges between scholarship and community. Working closely with Indigenous communities, Dr. Schreyer supports language revitalization efforts and integrates community projects into her curriculum to provide integrative opportunities for student learning. Through community-engaged learning and decolonial practices, Dr. Schreyer cultivates an environment of respect and appreciation for diverse perspectives.
Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation
BILL COHEN | ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | OKANAGAN SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Dr. Bill Cohen is an educator, artist, story-teller and author from the Okanagan Nation, with extensive kinship ties throughout British Columbia and Washington. Dr. Cohen’s teaching and research explores the transforming potential of Indigenous and Okanagan knowledge and pedagogy through organic language and cultural knowledge revitalization. Dr. Cohen creates an immersive learning environment where students are deeply engaged in decolonizing practices, providing a transformational experience that touches the lives and learning of both teacher candidates and the students who will learn from them in turn.
JULIEN PICAULT | PROFESSOR OF TEACHING | IRVING K. BARBER FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Dr. Julien Picault is dedicated to fostering a deep passion for economics among his students, prioritizing innovative teaching approaches. He integrates theoretical knowledge and practical skills, providing real-world learning experiences that cultivate critical thinking and a comprehensive understanding of economics. Beyond his own classroom, Dr. Picault shares his expertise and pedagogical research both locally and globally through the development of his world-renowned Economics Instructors Toolbox, supporting the learning of countless students around the world through this collaborative approach.
GINA WHITAKER| LECTURER | FACULTY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Gina Whitaker believes that taking every opportunity to show compassion and empathy will make the world a better place, and she lives this practice both inside and outside the classroom. She seeks to support every student to thrive and flourish, empowering learning through inclusivity and building strong communities within classrooms and the larger academic environment. Dr. Whitaker engages students in classrooms of all sizes in innovative and supportive ways, using technology, flexible assessments, gamification and other strategies to support learning.
Teaching Excellence Celebration
We are pleased to invite the campus community to join us to recognize these outstanding educators and celebrate teaching excellence at UBC Okanagan.
Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Time: 4 to 6 pm | Award presentation followed by a reception
Location: UBC Ballroom | UNC 200
If you have not received an invitation and wish to attend, please contact okanagan.ceremonies@ubc.ca to RSVP.
We look forward to coming together to celebrate the achievements and contributions of our teaching community. Congratulations, once again, to each of the deserving recipients of this year’s awards.
Sincerely,
Rehan Sadiq
Provost and Vice-President, Academic
UBC Okanagan
Brad Wuetherick
Associate Provost, Academic Programs, Teaching and Learning
UBC Okanagan
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