2022 Teaching Awards announced

UCalgary Law is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021-2022 Teaching Awards.

The Howard Tidswell Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence: Professor Gideon Christian

The Howard Tidswell Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence is presented annually to a faculty member or instructor, on the nomination of his or her students and peers, who demonstrates high-level teaching performance, methodology and contribution to curriculum.

This year's winner is Professor Gideon Christian, and it is his first time to receive the honour. 

"My success as a professor should not only be measured by my ability to impart theoretical knowledge to my students, but also, by my ability to help the students apply that theoretical knowledge in solving practical problems," says Gideon. "I strive to be innovative, designing my courses in ways that will help my students acquire legal technology skills that will prepare them for the legal profession they will join, as well as enhance their career prospects upon graduation from the law school." 

The best interest of my students has always been my guiding principle. My job is not limited to just routinely attending class and delivering lectures, the well-being of my students is at the heart of my job. 

"I am so privileged to be in the best work environment I could ever ask for, being surrounded by amazing and supportive colleagues no doubt brought out the very best in me," he adds.

Faculty of Law Sessional Teaching Award: Lynne Charbonneau

The Sessional Teaching Award recognizes high-level teaching performance, methodology and contribution to curriculum, as well as consideration for innovative course design and/or delivery.

"I am delighted to have been nominated for this award for my corporate and in-house practice course," says Lynne. "It was a genuine pleasure to teach my students. Their legal acumen and creativity in delivering “true-to-life” work assignments was remarkable. I hope the course taught them new skills and shed some light on the practical aspects of law. I also hope it opens paths and possibilities that they had not considered before.

 

 

Thank you to Dean Holloway for trusting me to design and deliver this course and to the selection committee for recommending me for this award. I am deeply touched.

“We’re a law school that takes teaching seriously”, says dean Ian Holloway. “Gideon and Lynne represent the very best of our commitment to excellence in legal education. I’m so glad that we’re able to honour them - and to celebrate their accomplishments.”