The Laurier Teaching Podcast

Early Career Excellence recipient Nathan Vo from Laurier's Health Studies program reflects on how curiosity and discovery have shaped his teaching philosophy and journey and how he passes that long to his students Through a student-centred approach grounded in active and experiential learning, Nathan challenges students to move beyond asking "what?" and "why?" to exploring "what if?" as they develop new ideas, solve problems and build confidence in their own abilities.

Whether students are investigating forensic evidence, exploring nature from a new perspective or collaborating with peers in the lab developing novel vaccines, Nathan is creates a learning environment where students can take risks and follow their curiosity and passions as they pursue the next big scientific discovery.

Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier: https://bit.ly/award-winning-faculty

Early Career Excellence award recipient Christian Danve Castroverde from Laurier's Biology department shares how he designs large courses around big picture questions that frame learning, spark curiosity, and reveal science as an evolving, debatable process rather than a body of rote facts to be memorized. Rooted in universal design principles to increase access for all students, Danve structures lectures for engagement using narrative, moments of surprise, and active learning throughout class.

Danve also reflects on his care-centred mentorship approach where he welcomes students from all levels into his lab and develops personalized mentoring plans that puts students first. He shares how his student journal clubs help demystify scientific papers and build confidence in students, preparing them for their own research publications and conference presentations. To further prepare students with future-ready skills, Danve offers a practical blueprint to help students critically engage with generative AI as a tool for analysis rather than a shortcut.

Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.

A practicing lawyer and dedicated educator, Jeff Boich from Laurier's Political Science department and recipient of the 2025 part-time Sustained Excellence in Teaching award, discusses how he brings the realities of legal practice into the classroom. Rather than relying primarily on textbooks, he teaches through real cases, current headlines, and experiential learning activities that help students practice legal principles in real world and authentic ways. Jeff designs assessments that develop professional legal skills through coaching Laurier's Moot Court team to repeated championships, providing mentorship as students take increasing ownership of their learning and inviting past students and practicing layers to share the skills they learned here at Laurier.

Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.

Lucy Luccisano from Laurier's Sociology department and recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Internationalization Award, reflects on a teaching and mentorship philosophy rooted in love, empathy, and deep care for students. She shares how international and intercultural learning experiences—especially short-term and group exchanges—can be powerfully transformative while remaining accessible to more students than traditional study abroad programs.

Lucy also highlights the critical role of partnerships in meaningful global learning, from collaborating with Laurier International and campus colleagues to bringing global guest speakers directly into the classroom using technology. She offers practical insights into internationalization at home, showing how faculty can create rich, globally connected learning experiences even when travel isn't possible. At the heart of her teaching is a commitment to building communities, both locally and across borders, that reduce isolation, foster belonging, and empower students through mentorship, collaboration, and shared learning.

Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier: https://bit.ly/award-winning-faculty

Maryam Khan from Laurier's Faculty of Social Work, and recipient of the 2025 Faculty Mentoring Award, brings authenticity, care, community, and courage into every aspect of their teaching and mentorship. Maryam builds classroom and mentoring relationships rooted in trust and accountability where students take ownership of their learning and engage in critical conversations. Maryam shares advice for creating peer mentoring communities for students that helps reduce isolation, loneliness, and build networks that carry on into professional practice. Maryam models how educators can teach with authenticity, invite growth through dialogue, and sustain lifelong communities of learning and support.

Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier and discover more from Laurier's Teaching Excellence and Innovation team.

Christos Shiamptanis, from Laurier's Economics department in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, and recipient of the 2025 Innovation in Teaching Award, shares how he transforms economics education through experiential learning, storytelling, and inclusive classroom design. From rethinking assessment rubrics to creating opportunities for quieter students to shine, his approach is about building confidence, skills, and curiosity that last well beyond the semester.

Christos reflects on the challenges and opportunities of hyflex teaching, the value of learning through practice, and why the journey of education is more important than the final grade. By removing barriers, encouraging diverse voices, and connecting theory to real-world experiences, he shows how innovative teaching can prepare students for success in their studies, careers, and communities.

Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier: https://bit.ly/award-winning-faculty

Steve Risavy, from the Lazaridis School for Business and Economics and recipient of the 2025 Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award, shares his approach to teaching and learning, centred on authenticity and the importance of having fun in the classroom. Steve creates a classroom environment where students can take risks, feel safe asking questions, and see their feedback put into action. Leaning into the energy students bring into the classroom, Steve utilizes music, group activities, reflection and formative feedback techniques to promote engaged, confident, and inspired students in his courses.

Outside of class, he is a trusted mentor who continues to guide students well beyond graduation. From helping students negotiate job offers to offering advice on professional challenges, Steve remains a steady presence in their career journeys. Colleagues call him a go-to source for teaching advice, and former students regularly return to him for career support, encouragement, and to share their experience with future classes.

Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.

Explore more from the Teaching Excellence and Innovation team >>

2024 Hoffman-Little Award winner Elizabeth Mitchell from Laurier's Faculty of Music shares her journey into music therapy and the connective power of music in helping people express emotions, memories, and experiences.

She discusses the importance of improvisation, versatility, and self-awareness, skills that allow practitioners to meet clients where they are and engage them in dynamic ways, whether in hospitals or community settings. She prepares students for clinical settings by integrating theory with hands-on experience, ensuring students develop both technical musical skills and interpersonal competencies to best serve the diverse clients that these students will support. A passionate advocate for decolonizing music therapy, Elizabeth shares how she works to amplify Indigenous voices and ensure that diverse musical traditions are valued in musical therapy practices. She weaves these perspectives throughout the curriculum to foster a more holistic and inclusive approach to music therapy education that leaves a lasting impact on both students and community members.

Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.

Explore more from Teaching Excellence and Innovationn at Laurier >>

Marybeth White from Laurier's Religion and Culture Department and recipient of the 2024 Sustained Excellence Teaching Award, shares insights on fostering a student-centered learning environment grounded in compassion, flexibility and inclusive design.

Marybeth discusses the changes she's seen in students throughout her career, including what students are better at now than when she started and what they need more support on. She reflects on how teaching is a continual process of learning and adaptation, responding to the evolving needs of students through flexibility and innovation. Marybeth shares ways she's creatively reimagined her course design to focus on essential takeaways and diverse assessment methods, such as quizzes, reflective journals, presentations, and an optional final exam based on a student's individual learning journey. Marybeth explores the importance of creating brave spaces for discussion and how she encourages students to engage critically and compassionately with diverse perspectives as keys to growth, as well as how she uses Universal Design principles to provide multiple ways for students to demonstrate their learning.

Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier: https://bit.ly/award-winning-faculty

Explore more from Teaching Excellence and Innovation

Join 2024 Faculty Mentoring Award recipient Michael Woodford from Laurier's Faculty of Social Work as he shares how some of the mentors along his personal and professional journey impacted him, the importance of sharing power in mentoring relationships, and the value of creating spaces where students can thrive as their authentic selves. Whether navigating difficult conversations, developing adaptable work plans, or helping students build lasting professional networks, his mentorship philosophy centers on collaboration, reflexivity, and meeting students where they are. Michael's mentorship is built on experience and vulnerability and he discusses how faculty can empower students, foster inclusive and interpersonal learning environments, and reflects on how great mentoring shapes not only academic success but also lifelong growth.

Laurier's Donald F. Morgenson Awards for Teaching Excellence honour those who, through their commitment to exemplary teaching, have made significant contributions to the educational experience of Laurier students. Learn more about award-winning teaching at Laurier.

Explore more from Teaching Excellence and Innovation!