51³Ô¹Ïapp

This year marks the second year of the Innovation, Inclusion, and Outstanding Excellence in Teaching Awards at 51³Ô¹Ïapp. The awards are unique because they focus on teaching excellence, along with a strong commitment to pedagogical innovation and deep inclusion of equity deserving students in line with equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) principles. There are two distinct awards: one designated for part-time faculty and another for term faculty on contracts. 

This year Dr. Meghan Allen from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science has been given the term award. Allen has only been at MtA a few years, but their dedication to EDIA and innovative teaching methods has already had a significant impact on students and the academic community. They show a great dedication to creating safe, inclusive learning environments and have made considerable efforts to revamp curricular material to better serve diverse students. Noteworthy is Allen’s leadership in addressing sexism and structural biases in STEM, their meticulous preparation, and adoption of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.  

One of Allen’s innovations includes receiving the Marjorie Young Bell Fine Arts and Music Award to explore the intersection of technology and fibre arts, leading to public crochet and mathematics workshops. Other innovations include assignments of infographics, timelines, and podcasts for their course on Computers and Society.  

Strongly committed to inclusion, Allen includes real work examples in their data and examples that are relevant to a wide range of students, but goes beyond that to consider how data on various topics applies to lower income students, to analyzing gender bias, and how the data can also be erroneously applied to Indigenous communities.  

Students consistently praise their dedication, approachability, clear communication, and innovative assessments such as in-class activities and journal assignments that moves toward guiding students through their learning through deep engagement. Allen exemplifies the spirit and intention of the award and is a wonderful addition to the 51³Ô¹Ïapp community.   

The part-time award goes to Dr. Samantha Ruckenstein in visual and material culture studies. Ruckenstein’s teaching philosophy is explicit about their commitment to universal design by creating flexibility and adaptability in their classes, assessment, and delivery. They do this while also including technology such as social media and generative AI, combining it with critical thinking, to support students in understanding and examining misinformation, disinformation and malinformation. Using different formats, such as articles, books, podcasts, film and video, Ruckenstein applies UDL principles to their courses with great effect.  

Ruckenstein is explicit about their commitment to EDIA. This is in part informed by their experience as a Jewish woman. They discuss EDIA directly with students in their courses and include it in their course outlines. This transparency is significant in terms of students being seen, heard, and feeling they belong in the course but also at university. For Indigenous students, first-generation students, disabled students, and 2SLGBTQIA+ students, this can be particularly important. Activities and content that focuses on Elsipogtog First Nations, speak to Ruckenstein’s attempts to decolonize the classroom.  

Thank you Dr. Meghan Allen and Dr. Samantha Ruckenstein for their deep commitment to inclusion and innovation and for their thoughtfully designed and delivered courses.