The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural GA/TA Award for Educational Practice and GA/TA Award for Educational Leadership. George Bacioiu, doctoral student in the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, and Crystal McKenzie, doctoral student in the Department of Physics, are the 2009 recipients of the GA/TA Award for Educational Practice. Neil Porter, doctoral student in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, is the 2009 recipient of the GA/TA Award for Educational Leadership.
George Bacioiu is regarded by his peers as an exceptional mentor, always available for out-of-class support. Crystal McKenzie’s students report that she is constantly devoted to discovering new methods in the classroom to increase levels of interaction, teamwork, and discussion. Neil Porter singlehandedly designed the field camp program for students in environmental science, physical geography, and environmental studies, which he has coordinated since 2005. Students identify this experiential educational opportunity as extremely valuable, inclusive, and organized.
Established by the CTL, the GA/TA Awards recognize exemplary GAs and TAs who contribute to a positive learning-centred environment at the University. Winners were selected by a seven-member committee comprised of three University of Windsor faculty, three GA/TAs, and a non-voting staff member of the CTL. The awards are intended to provide incentive and encouragement for achieving excellence in GA/TA educational practice and leadership while contributing to student and faculty pride in teaching and learning at the University of Windsor.