Two faculty members awarded for their excellence in teaching

Helping students discover a passion for scientific research. Breaking down barriers so students are treated as equals.

Raquel Maurier - 16 May 2012

Helping students discover a passion for scientific research. Breaking down barriers so students are treated as equals. These are the teaching philosophies of two members of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry who have been recognized by the University of Alberta.
Mark Glover has been awarded the 2012 Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching, while Melanie Lewis has been awarded the 2012 Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Other faculty members across campus have been awarded as well, recognized for their teaching excellence by colleagues and current and past students.
Glover, a researcher and professor in the Department of Biochemistry, says his teaching philosophy is to help graduate students discover a passion for science through self-directed research.
"I try to keep them inspired when times get tough. Some of what we do is really difficult. You can encounter puzzling problems and results during research studies. I try to help them understand what's happening and guide them along. I keep things positive.
"And I want them to be able to experience the fun and excitement of doing their own independent research. It is a really satisfying career. It's really fun."
Glover said he was humbled when he learned he had won the award.
"You feel grateful because you work pretty hard with these graduate students over a long period of time and you hope you are genuinely making a positive impact on their learning. To know my teaching has made a difference for them is very rewarding.

"Melanie Lewis, an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics and the faculty's associate dean of learner advocacy & wellness, said she is thankful to have the opportunity to teach as well as practise her specialty.
"This award matters a lot to me because it's from the students. It's the students that matter and when I find out, often by happenstance, that I influenced someone during their undergraduate medical career or residency, it's very meaningful to me."
What's her teaching philosophy?
"It's directed around breaking down barriers between the student and the teacher - pretty much everyone calls me Mel. My patients call me Mel. My students call me Mel. I feel titles can be a barrier to exchanging ideas," Lewis said.
"I consider students my colleagues - it's a sharing of information. I'm always learning. And they're learning, too. It's a rich source of medical education for me to be around patients and students, and really listen and support their ideas and be a mentor."
Lewis was instrumental in redesigning the pediatric curriculum for the U of A medical school, and she collaborated with other educators across Canada to redesign the national pediatric undergraduate curriculum. She says the new curriculum has been very beneficial for students and professors.
The awards committee recently selected the 2012 University of Alberta Awards for Teaching Excellence. An informal reception will be held for award winners and their families in late May. Award winners will also receive invitations to attend the 2012 Celebrate! Teaching. Learning. Research event in late September.