On a snowy April afternoon, the Great Hall in Champlain College was buzzing with excitement and celebration as Trent faculty, staff, students and friends gathered to honour eight outstanding teachers.

The April 6 Teaching Excellence Awards Reception was organized by the Instructional Development Centre and provided an opportunity for the Trent community to gather together and recognize all of the teachers who won either an external or internal teaching award in 2008/09.

President Bonnie Patterson, vice-president academic Christine McKinnon and associate dean of undergraduate studies Jocelyn Aubrey were on hand at the reception to congratulate the winners.

The 2008/09 External Teaching Award recipients are:

Canadian Association of Geographers’ Award for Teaching Excellence
Professor Susan Wurtele, Geography

Canadian Mathematical Society’s Award for Teaching Excellence Professor
David Poole, Mathematics

Ontario Confederation of Faculty Associations’ Teaching Award
Professor Carolyn Kay, History

3M National Teaching Fellowship Award
Professor Sarah Keefer, English Literature

The 2008/09 Internal Teaching Award recipients are:

CUPE 3908-1 Award for Excellence in Teaching
Professor Shaoling Wang, Modern Languages & Literatures

Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching Assistance
Kristina Ottosen, English Literature

Distinguished Teaching Award for Educational Leadership & Innovation in Instruction
Professor Zailig Pollock, English Literature

Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching
Professor Molly Blyth, Canadian Studies, English Literature & Indigenous Studies

To learn more about this year’s winners and all of Trent University’s award-winning teachers, visit the Teaching Excellence website.