From the launch of several new programs to the commemoration of 30 years of lifelong learning, 2019 has been a remarkable year for the McGill School of Continuing Studies. This year, the School also recognized two lecturers’ exceptional contributions to continuing education. During the Spring 2019 Convocation ceremony on May 28, Dr. Diane Dechief and Jeffrey Sacksner were presented with the Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Dr. Dechief is a faculty lecturer focused on Scientific and Technical Writing for the McGill Writing Centre since 2015, and Jeffrey Sacksner is in his fifth year as a Course Lecturer in Entrepreneurship for the Career and Professional Development unit. The recipients for the prestigious award were selected based on their outstanding contribution as lecturers and were strongly supported by student feedback gathered from course evaluations.
Earlier this year, we spoke with Dechief and Sacksner to discuss what receiving this award means to them.
How did you react when you learned you were receiving the award?
Dechief: When I learned that I was receiving a distinguished teaching award, my first thought was of the terrific students who had been in my courses in 2018: I felt deeply appreciative that we’d had a chance to connect during their studies—that my students recognized the significance of the courses that I had designed and facilitated for them was really satisfying to me.
Sacksner: I was thrilled and felt very proud when I learned that I would be receiving the Award for Distinguished Teaching. It means so much to be recognized for something I absolutely love doing especially knowing it came from the most important people in the learning process — my students, or as I refer to them, my family. These are my real customers — our future leaders, entrepreneurs and business professionals.
What does the award mean to you?
Dechief: For me, the distinguished teaching award is recognition of my work to create interesting, relevant writing courses and assignments for students: nominations were from students in two of the new courses that I designed over the past two years, CCOM 315 Writing the Internet and CCOM 314 Communicating Science. I’m thrilled that undergraduate students are enrolling in writing courses as electives and recognizing the value of what they’re learning.
One of my main goals as an educator is for young people to see themselves as writers who can effectively share their knowledge and ideas. Winning the award is encouraging; I want to keep designing and teaching writing courses and it’s great that the relevance of this work is being recognized.
How have your students impacted you as a lecturer and educator?
Dechief: Students impact me in many positive ways. The first thing that jumps to mind is that I learn so much from my students in terms of what they’re studying and how they see the world. In the McGill Writing Centre courses, we always discuss the importance of knowing our audience. As an educator, students are my audience. During class, I make plenty of room for students to share their views and ask questions. This helps me know my audience: I learn what really matters to students and this lets me better tailor courses to students’ interests and needs. Plus, McGill students are interesting, funny, and inspiring!
Sacksner: My students have had a tremendous impact on me both academically as a lecturer and professionally with my full-time work in the [entrepreneurship] industry. Seeing firsthand the students' desire to learn new concepts, their creativity, passion and the different ways they have of looking at things has inspired me to continuously innovate and find different ways of creating interesting and stimulating lectures and courses. The students force me to stay current and help me look at things from a different perspective which I know has had significant benefits to my full-time work in the corporate world.
Learn more about the McGill Writing Centre Communicating Science program, and the Entrepreneurship programs.
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Jessica RomeraJessica Romera has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Concordia University and is currently pursuing a Certificate in Translation at the McGill School of Continuing Studies. She has written for several publications including the Montreal Gazette and Montreal Families Magazine and is fluent in English, Spanish and French. A self-proclaimed bookworm and concert junkie, you will likely find her with her nose stuck in a novel or in the middle of a crowded music venue!  |
