Students thank teachers for their inspiration at annual Students’ Teacher Recognition Reception

Each year, the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (The Centre) hosts a Students’ Teacher Recognition Reception which gives exceptional students nominated by their respective Faculty an opportunity to thank and celebrate the two educators – one from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and one from their time at the University of Manitoba – who have made important contributions to their education

LaDawn Duerksen, human nutritional sciences students, was selected as the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences student, and she chose Dr. Snehil Dua, Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, as her UM honouree.

At the reception, LaDawn shared that Dr. Dua challenged her students to learn and be educated in real world practical life learning lessons, not just theory.

“She uses humor, personal side stories and creative evaluation strategies to engage her students. She creates a safe space where every student is respected, no question is a dumb question and tangents were frequent when needed for explanation on more difficult concepts,” said LaDawn.

James Bashford, School of Agriculture’s exceptional student honoured Farm Management Instructor Garrett Sawatzky

James Bashford, student in the Diploma in Agriculture program, was selected as the School of Agriculture’s exceptional student and he chose Farm Management Instructor Garrett Sawatzky as his UM teacher to recognize.

James noted that Garrett is not only a farm management instructor in the agricultural diploma program but also a farmer himself, augmenting his teaching with personal experience and knowledge from his own farm.

“He is an enthusiastic, engaging and dedicated teacher who made his lectures engaging and relevant using examples from his own farm and from current issues in agriculture. He has helped to teach me how to manage a farm efficiently, sustainably and profitably,” said James.

Watch the reception speeches by LaDawn and James on the University of Manitoba YouTube Channel.