Read on Twitter
A brief thread concerning a work colleague (who will likely be very embarrassed, but nonetheless..), who is deserving of significant public praise for his teaching of our students at @UCDMedicine, and who receives limited recognition of this outside of his classroom of students.
In brief, Mark Pickering ( @PickeringLabUCD) is probably the most talented lecturer I have worked with in 12 yrs at @UCDMedicine. I work closely with Mark on several (neuroscience-related) courses, and I witness his knowledge, enthusiasm, dedication & skill in teaching every day.
In particular, we work very closely on the UG Medicine+GE Medicine neuroscience modules, & share a passion in ensuring that students both UNDERSTAND & ENJOY LEARNING the subject. This requires a particular teaching skillset, & Mark& #39;s innovations in the classroom are 2nd-to-none.
Year after year, trimester after trimester, Mark receives significant praise in student evaluations. Sometimes such praise can relate (artificially) to popularity, but it is clear in Mark& #39;s case that students appreciate his passion & skill for teaching & for helping them succeed.
In terms of recognising a great teacher, students play their part at @UCDMedicine, but again, the recognition in place could be viewed as a popularity contest. Staff seem less willing to recognise their colleagues, which is why I am (publicly) nominating Mark for the #UTLAwards
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I am not sure of the reason. The competitive culture of academia. Jealousy. Indifference. But staff do not do enough to ensure that their colleagues are recognised, where warranted. #UTLAwards
Re.teaching, it is one thing for an academic to deliver an inspiring session on a particular topic; it is quite another to have someone devoted to their craft, & striving with each iteration to re-invent & enhance their teaching sessions & courses for the benefit of our students.
On behalf of our students (& staff), thank you Mark for the job that you do at @UCDMedicine. Your skills & dedication to teaching research students deserve another thread, but I think the best compliment I could pay you is that I wish you had taught me neuro in college! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👍🏻" title="Thumbs up (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Thumbs up (heller Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😂" title="Gesicht mit Freudentränen" aria-label="Emoji: Gesicht mit Freudentränen">
(Knowing Mark, he& #39;d probably start deflecting praise away from himself, but this is about him.)
Also, students, you are eligible to nominate too, so please do, and staff - #PlayYourPart
Also, students, you are eligible to nominate too, so please do, and staff - #PlayYourPart
[I should note that this has been prompted by yet another round of positive student evaluations from last trimester, coinciding with the release of provisional exam results today, but I think long-overdue peer recognition; brilliant teacher.]
