UNews - Board of Governors Teaching Chair

Helping students thrive from day one, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ names Dr. Aaron Taylor Board of Governors Teaching Chair

trevor.kenney — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:14:08 +0000

Drama professor Dr. Aaron Taylor is advancing student success by developing resilience, executive functioning and essential skills like time management and communication in new and first-year students. His efforts have led to him being named the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s 2025 Board of Governors Teaching Chair.

Known for his dynamic teaching style and commitment to critical dialogue, Taylor builds inclusive, collaborative learning environments that help students find success from the beginning of their academic journey.

The Board of Governors Teaching Chair recognizes teaching excellence and the scholarship of teaching and learning at ULethbridge. Taylor will be recognized at Spring 2025 Convocation, Ceremony III, on, May 30, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the Centre for Sport and Wellness gymnasium.

Dr. Aaron Taylor

Taking a nuanced approach to student growth and resiliency, Department of Drama Professor Dr. Aaron Taylor deeply understands the challenges faced by students and the need to support them beyond classroom learning. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and critically rigorous pedagogy, Taylor is ensuring students are prepared to excel in post-secondary environments and in their later careers from the moment they step foot on campus.

Taylor is a cinema and media studies scholar who focuses on screen acting, cognitive film theory and transmedia relations between film and comics. Since joining the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2007, Taylor has built a reputable pedagogy that distinguishes him as a standout professor and mentor. He received a Teaching Fellowship in 2017 and was recognized as a Tier 2 Board of Governors Research Chair in 2019, his teaching methods focused on creating an environment of critical conversation, openness and dialogue.

Lauded by students and peers for his dynamic and engaging teaching style, Taylor strives to facilitate learning through open environments and conversations where students feel comfortable sharing ideas and making thoughtful and well-reasoned judgments in their work. Taylor meticulously designs his courses to encourage collaboration and move students from routine memorization to truly understanding and transforming what they learn.

With a long history of making significant and meaningful contributions to the culture of teaching excellence, Taylor’s ability to appeal to a diverse range of students creates safe, positive and enjoyable learning experiences for many.

Taylor often serves as students’ first instructor in post-secondary education, frequently teaching large introductory courses. Through this role, he has gained insight into the challenges new students face and has identified a need to build resilience and executive function skills. In a post-secondary setting, resilience refers to the ability to adapt to and overcome academic and social setbacks.

Recognizing a lack of essential skills like time management, self-confidence and communication in new and first-year university students, Taylor aims to systematically cultivate resilience in first-year students to help them succeed and flourish. Inspired by the StartSmart program at ULethbridge, which identifies opportunities for growth and institutional assistance in first-year students, Taylor hopes to support students’ growth in demanding learning environments.

Taylor proposes to explore multiple strategies during his Board of Governors Teaching Chair project — from creating an interdisciplinary working group to identifying core executive function skills to integrate into foundational courses, to developing a post-secondary transition program that builds upon and synthesizes existing transitional programs at ULethbridge, such as the Indigenous Student Success Certificate, the Early Start Experience, StartSmart and the Global Citizenship Cohort.

Taking the fear out of chemistry, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ names Wayne Lippa Board of Governors Teaching Chair

trevor.kenney — Wed, 08 May 2024 16:21:58 +0000

An instructor who has made it his quest to take the fear out of learning difficult concepts in chemistry, Wayne Lippa has been named the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s 2024 Board of Governors Teaching Chair.

By adopting a student-centred approach based on his experiences as a student and incorporating strategies whereby students learn chemistry by doing chemistry, Lippa is noted as an effective and reflective teacher, constantly evaluating the methods he utilizes in his classrooms and labs.

Wayne Lippa incorporates a student-centred approach based on his experiences as a student.

The Board of Governors Teaching Chair recognizes teaching excellence and the scholarship of teaching and learning at ULethbridge. Lippa will be recognized at Spring 2024 Convocation, Ceremony III, on, May 31, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre gymnasium.

Wayne Lippa

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Instructor Wayne Lippa (BSc/BEd ’97) faces the daunting task of taking the fear and loathing out of a subject many find difficult to tackle. He does this by adopting a student-centred approach based on his experiences as a student and incorporating strategies whereby students learn the concepts of chemistry by doing chemistry.

Lippa majored in chemistry when he graduated with a combined degree from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 1997. After a short stint as a math teacher at Medicine Hat’s Crescent Heights High School, he was back on the ULethbridge campus that fall as an academic assistant and has been at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ ever since.

As Lippa has progressed throughout his career, he has never forgotten the instructors who positively impacted his learning journey and the environment he found was most conducive to success. Described as an effective teacher, Lippa is also lauded for being reflective in his role, constantly evaluating the methods he utilizes in his classrooms and labs.

His philosophy is rooted in giving his students a personal learning experience, beginning with knowing every one of his students’ names and using them consistently. He incorporates a sense of humour into his teaching and adheres to an open-door policy with no fixed office hours, welcoming questions and discussion. Likewise, he makes himself available for questions through email, even in the evenings, understanding students are active then working on assignments or studying.

Chemistry is an experimental science and Lippa encourages learning by doing, and rather than just giving answers to questions he guides students to discover answers on their own, thereby empowering their growth in learning. It’s a philosophy he applies to his own learning journey — which is ongoing.

Lippa has been a part of the Teaching Centre’s Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) program since 2012, first being trained as a facilitator and then taking over as a co-coordinator of the program with Dr. Sheila McManus. Its focus is to make people better teachers by allowing them the freedom and security to experiment and try new things while teaching lessons in a safe, constructive environment.

While the ISW program has been extremely positive, participation has waned in recent years due to several factors and Lippa’s Board of Governors Teaching Chair proposal is to review and reinvigorate the program, determining what the ISW will look like in years to come.

Faculty of Education researcher and educator, Dr. Chris Mattatall, named Board of Governors Teaching Chair

trevor.kenney — Wed, 24 May 2023 20:54:09 +0000

Devoted to making education accessible to all types of learners, Dr. Chris Mattatall has been named the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s 2023 Board of Governors Teaching Chair.

An experienced and respected academic leader, esteemed researcher and beloved educator, Mattatall has dedicated himself to the study of teaching and learning and is passionate about helping to improve his own practice and that of others in pursuit of the most effective instruction of students.

Dr. Chris Mattatall has dedicated himself to the study of teaching and learning.

The Board of Governors Teaching Chair recognizes teaching excellence and the scholarship of teaching and learning at ULethbridge. Mattatall will be recognized at Spring 2023 Convocation, Ceremony III, on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre gymnasium.

Dr. Chris Mattatall

An associate professor in the Faculty of Education, Dr. Chris Mattatall has dedicated himself to educational psychology and inclusion, with a keen interest in the study of teaching and learning. Mattatall earned a Bachelor of Arts from Kingswood ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and Bachelor of Education from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of New Brunswick. After beginning his K-12 teaching career, he completed his Master of Education in Learning Disabilities in 2002. He later earned a PhD in Cognitive Studies from Queen’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Since starting at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2015, Mattatall has made a significant difference in many areas of the Faculty of Education. Within the classroom, he excels as a clear communicator with a gentle and affirmative style. He is willing to draw from his life experience to bring a sense of relevance and approachability to the subject matter of his lessons and his students are widely receptive to his instruction. He has twice been nominated for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Excellence in Teaching Award and consistently receives very positive feedback from students in course evaluation comments.

His ability to connect with students spans all program levels, and he is respected for going the extra mile to ensure a positive student learning environment and experience. He describes his research focus as being centred on helping struggling learners through good teaching, believing all students have the ability to learn.

As Board of Governors Teaching Chair, he proposes to work closely with the Teaching Centre to facilitate the introduction of small teaching. Small teaching is a way of thinking about improving one’s practice by leveraging easy-to-implement teaching strategies that are supported by the Science of Learning and Development. By soliciting the help of instructors across the University, Mattatall looks to develop a video library of effective strategies demonstrated within the classroom or lab.

New media professor Leanne Elias awarded Board of Governors Teaching Chair

trevor.kenney — Wed, 18 May 2022 17:34:39 +0000

An inspiring educator who finds ways to challenge her students while complementing their knowledge, new media professor Leanne Elias (BFA ’95, MEd ’03) is this year’s recipient of the Board of Governors Teaching Chair.

Elias plans to develop and deliver a series of interdisciplinary workshops for both undergraduate and graduate students with the goal of understanding how teaching changes when working with multiple disciplines and how students are impacted. While Board of Governors Teaching Chair, she also intends to bring together a community of practice for interdisciplinary teaching.

Elias will be presented with her award during the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s fall convocation ceremonies.

Leanne Elias

Leanne Elias

As a professor of new media, Leanne Elias not only inspires students to think creatively in her graphic design courses, she also approaches her teaching creatively, always finding ways to challenge students and complement their knowledge. She encourages them to explore and experiment with new media tools while focusing on relevant ideas.

Elias ensures her students have opportunities to maximize their learning through extra-curricular activities related to the profession. Twice she has led student fundraising activities to enable attendance at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival. Focused on emerging creative technologies, the festival draws the best creative minds in the world.

In addition, she has co-facilitated several interdisciplinary workshops for the Faculty of Fine Arts and was instrumental in bringing a series of award-winning animations to Lethbridge. Elias has also been a champion for the importance of teaching development in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. In 2012-2013, she was awarded a Teaching Fellowship from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Advancement for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Elias has become a facilitator for the Instructional Skills Workshop, a course designed to enhance teaching effectiveness for both new and experienced educators.

Chemistry & biochemistry researcher, Dr. Ute Kothe, named a U of L Board of Governors Teaching Chair

trevor.kenney — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 20:04:28 +0000

With an approach based in the belief that an effective teacher facilitates understanding and the well-being, learning and development of students, Dr. Ute Kothe has been named a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors Teaching Chair.

Kothe eyes every opportunity to enable learning.

An educator who teaches at all levels, from first-year undergraduate through post-doctoral supervision, Kothe eyes every opportunity to enable learning, pioneering community science outreach activities that spur the imagination and passion for new knowledge amongst the young and old alike.

Kothe, a professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, is a member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada and a founding member of the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI). Born and raised in Germany, she studied at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Regensburg, the Ruhr-��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Bochum and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Witten/Herdecke where she obtained an MSc equivalent and PhD degree in biochemistry. She has been at the U of L since 2006.

Lauded as innovative and adaptable, Kothe continually seeks methods to enhance her teaching so she may achieve the best outcome for her students. Active learning is at the heart of her approach, introducing new concepts and skills through techniques that engage students. She creates an environment where she is less an active teacher giving information, and more of a facilitator helping students gain a deeper understanding of material they were encouraged to initially explore on their own and in peer settings.

Kothe encourages an open dialogue with her students, providing a classroom framework that encourages participation at every turn. She frequently halts lectures to ensure students are understanding concepts and creates a safe space based on mutual respect.

As a staunch proponent of science outreach, Kothe has led community activities for more than a decade. She initiated the Let’s Talk Science program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, a group that engages more than 4,000 children and youth annually, including the massively popular Spooky Science Halloween event.

Kothe continues to actively hone her craft and regularly engages with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Teaching Centre. She has served as a teaching fellow and facilitated and presented at numerous teaching workshops and symposiums. She seeks the advice and support of her colleagues and often has faculty members from other disciplines visit her classroom to offer critical analysis.

Whether teaching a first-year class or supervising a PhD candidate, Kothe nurtures the teacher-student relationship. Her enthusiasm and willingness to make science fun accelerates learning and she is a strong proponent of immersing students in research opportunities as quickly as possible. As a Board of Governors Teaching Chair, she will look to enhance graduate student supervision, thereby strengthening mentorship quality and capacity on campus and enabling further student success.

Faculty of Health Sciences professor Dr. Olu Awosoga named a Board of Governors Teaching Chair

trevor.kenney — Tue, 28 May 2019 16:02:07 +0000

Utilizing a personable approach that always seeks to improve the learning experience for his students, Dr. Olu Awosoga has been named a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors Teaching Chair.

Dr. Olu Awosoga sees teaching and learning as a partnership between the teacher and student.

Guided by a belief that the most effective teaching reaches students on an individual level, Awosoga sees teaching and learning as a partnership between the teacher and the student, one that motivates critical thinking and prompts students to take accountability for their learning journey.

Awosoga, an associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, will be celebrated as a new Board of Governors Teaching Chair at 2019 Spring Convocation Ceremony II on Thursday, May 30 at 2:30 p.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre gymnasium.

Born and raised in Nigeria before moving first to the United States and then to Canada, Awosoga spent the majority of his academic years in Nigeria. Specializing in statistical analysis, he began as an academic assistant in the Faculty of Health Sciences in 2009. By 2011, he was a research affiliate with the Prentice Institute for Global Population & Economy, and in 2018 he was named an associate member of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

His personable nature and a desire to continually improve the learning experience for his students have guided Awosoga as he employs many innovative tactics in his classroom. Understanding that his accent may be difficult for some students to understand, he created lecture materials with PowerPoint slides and an audio track with a female voice to augment his lessons. He regularly uses blended classroom approaches, along with team-based learning, to encourage active engagement, and administers an anonymous mid-term evaluation so that he can address problems and adjust his lessons for the second half of the term.

Testament to Awosoga’s excellence as an instructor is the consistently positive feedback he receives despite the challenging material he is teaching. His blend of compassion and practicality allows his students to tackle intimidating course material with confidence, knowing that he will do whatever it takes to make sure nobody is left behind.

Art professor Dr. Anne Dymond appointed a Board of Governors Teaching Chair

trevor.kenney — Fri, 25 May 2018 19:19:08 +0000

An ever-evolving instructor who seeks to empower her students to pursue their passions in intelligent, thoughtful and meaningful ways, Dr. Anne Dymond has been named a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors Teaching Chair.

Keen to adapt her teaching methods to the changing needs of her students, Anne Dymond has evolved her teaching philosophy through study and self-evaluation, deconstructing long-entrenched instructional models to create a class environment that celebrates engagement, inclusivity and critical thinking.

Dymond studied both English and Art History at Queen’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, earning a bachelor’s, a master’s and a doctorate before coming west to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2000. Beginning as an assistant professor in the Department of Art, she advanced the study of art history and eventually assumed the role of Chair of the department in 2010-11.

Dymond understands that teaching focuses on learning and that all learners have both strengths and challenges. She believes a good teacher must employ multiple techniques to take learners from where they are to where the course objectives want to take them. She seeks to meet her students’ needs through classes that promote active learning and by creating an atmosphere where students assume responsibility for their own learning.

She believes in the philosophy of creating a community of learners that extends beyond the classroom. Her research focus examines ethical actions around diversity in museums and art galleries and she is currently developing a new course centering on art and social justice themes.

Dymond is continually challenging her development as an instructor while urging her students to think critically, test their limits and engage the world as citizens and lifelong learners.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is proud to celebrate Dr. Anne Dymond at 2018 Spring Convocation Ceremony III on Friday, June 1 at 9:30 a.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre gymnasium.

History professor Dr. Janay Nugent appointed a Board of Governors Teaching Chair

trevor.kenney — Tue, 30 May 2017 16:57:52 +0000

A true lover of education who is passionate about helping her students realize the value of education, Dr. Janay Nugent (history) has been appointed a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors Teaching Chair.

Known for creating a class environment where students feel encouraged and safe to explore new ideas and skills, Nugent has spent years developing a teaching style and philosophy that is both supportive and challenging.

Nugent is known for creating a class environment where students feel encouraged and safe to explore new ideas and skills.

An expert on 16th- to 18th-century Scottish history, Nugent is a U of L alumna who completed graduate degrees at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Guelph before joining the Department of History as a sessional instructor in 2000, earning a faculty position in 2004.

Always eager to welcome new students to the university experience, she deliberately chooses to teach History 1000 each fall semester as she believes it is an integral opportunity to connect with students and assist them through the transition to post-secondary studies.

Nugent spends a great deal of time honing her teaching strategies, looking for new ways to engage students in active learning. She welcomes feedback from her students and incorporates their ideas into her lectures.

An ardent supporter of the philosophies of liberal education, Nugent is part of the Liberal Education Revitalization Team and sits on the Global Citizenship Cohort Advisory Committee. Through this involvement, she works to promote the values of liberal education and train students as critical and analytical thinkers.

One of the most popular teachers at the U of L, Nugent has consistently scored at the highest level for teaching through the Faculty Handbook performance evaluation system, was appointed a Teaching Centre Fellow in 2014, was the 2015 winner of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award and the 2016 Distinguished Teaching Award winner.

Her appointment as a Board of Governors Teaching Chair is for a two-year term commencing July 1, 2017.

Dr. David Slomp named Board of Governors Teaching Chair

trevor.kenney — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 21:55:56 +0000

Known for his expertise in evaluation and assessment, the Faculty of Education’s Dr. David Slomp has been appointed a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors Teaching Chair.

His knowledge of evaluation and assessment allows him to create the kind of educational experiences that prepare his students to become leaders in the classrooms of the future.

Educated at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, Slomp joined the U of L in 2011. His background includes classroom experience, both as a high school English teacher and a college instructor. At the U of L, he soon established himself as an outstanding teacher and researcher. Slomp rarely lectures, rather he assigns readings that contain the content he wants his students to explore and then invites students to take part in learning activities that help them examine the implications of the reading for their own practice.

His knowledge of evaluation and assessment allows him to create the kind of educational experiences that prepare his students to become leaders in the classrooms of the future. He is continually aware of his responsibility to craft and maintain an optimal learning environment, something he accomplishes by soliciting and reviewing feedback from students. Slomp has special expertise in writing assessment and his work in this area has made him an oft-cited authority across the province and beyond.

As the Board of Governors Teaching Chair, Slomp plans to use his expertise in the area of writing instruction and assessment design to support ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ programs and faculty. Slomp is committed not only to excellence in teaching, but also scholarship of teaching and leadership in education. One of his plans is to develop a Community Service Learning course series on writing grant proposals for community groups, where U of L students will partner with a community agency to assist them in writing grant proposals.

Doolittle appointed Board of Governors Teaching Chair

trevor.kenney — Thu, 28 May 2015 15:55:11 +0000

An educator who embraces research-informed teaching, promotes socially engaged global learning and cultivates an inclusive learning environment, Lisa Doolittle has been appointed a Board of Governors Teaching Chair.

Lisa Doolittle combines dance, theatre, community engagement and scholarship to create positive social action through university-community partnerships.

Doolittle is a Theatre and Dramatic Arts faculty member who has been at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge since 1989. She combines dance, theatre, community engagement and scholarship to create positive social action through university-community partnerships.

Her research focuses on Canadian multicultural and indigenous dance, and she is currently heading the Teaching and Learning sector in a national partnership that is exploring how art can positively impact society.

Doolittle expands learning outside the classroom through initiatives such as the biannual student trip she co-leads to Malawi to develop theatre-based and student-delivered malaria and HIV/AIDS prevention programs in rural schools. She also brings the community into the classroom and onto the stage through arts-based, university-community collaborations with local Blackfoot students, refugees, immigrants and people with developmental disabilities.

She has volunteered extensively for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, for example, by chairing the Faculty Association’s Academic Welfare Committee, serving on committees such as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Inclusive Education Working Group, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Budget and Teaching Development, and facilitating workshops with the Teaching Centre.

Doolittle has published several book chapters, journal and media articles, delivered many conference and community presentations, and volunteers for scholarly arts organizations. Outside of academia, she has worked as a choreographer, director and writer on numerous productions in Alberta and internationally.

Her appointment as a Board of Governors Teaching Chair is for a two-year term commencing July 1, 2015.

UNews - Board of Governors Teaching Chair

Helping students thrive from day one, ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ names Dr. Aaron Taylor Board of Governors Teaching Chair

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