Teaching Awards winners announced

Seven outstanding Edge Hill University lecturers have been named winners in the first ever Chancellor's Excellence in Teaching Awards 2011.

The University joined forces with the Students' Union to introduce the new awards to recognise those tutors who go the extra mile in education to make the learning experience even better.

More than 600 students nominated 200 tutors and judging was extremely difficult, but the winners were chosen from each of the three faculties - Health, Education and Arts and Sciences.

Watch footage of the celebrations and the winners here.

Colin Gibson, new Students' Union President, said: "Our students really embraced our first ever Teaching Awards, and choosing the winners from a lengthy shortlist was both a challenging and a rewarding task. With so many nominations it's clear that we have a University that is genuinely committed to high quality undergraduate teaching. We hope that these awards show support for academics and make them feel appreciated." 

The winners were:

• Debbie Milner, Dance and Drama, for going above and beyond the parameters of her normal contact time and offering external sessions to students who need extra support or to facilitate their passions with the creation of Edge FWD all-male dance troupe. Commitment, inspiration and hard work were notable attributes named by the students.
• Trace Currall, Sociology, for providing innovative lectures that turn complex sociological theories into more digestible ideas for students who are in the first year of their degrees. Innovation, dedication and excellence were notable attributes named by the students.
• Derek Larkin, Psychology, for always putting the needs of the students first and ensuring they are given quality lectures and for enhancing learning through effective use of technology. He maintained this level of quality throughout the year whilst also helping students in other areas. Flexible, informative and technologically aware were notable attributes named by the students.
• Ann-Marie Gordon, PGCE Primary Education,for always being available to the students, offering them extensive support on their Personal Professional Development sessions. She received an enormous amount of nominations from her students and offered them high quality teaching and support no matter what other work has come up i.e. Ofsted inspection. Personable, encouraging and supportive were notable attributes named by the students.
• Peter Woolnaugh, PGCE Secondary (English),for constant support and up-to-date learning. The students felt he utilised technology and resources to their maximum, making a very intensive course more manageable. Fantastic, knowledgeable and approachable were notable attributes named by the students.
• Chantelle Winstanley, Midwifery, for delivering lectures and seminars in a unique style so students felt they were learning more effectively with and understanding the real needs of students. Inspirational, understanding and motivating were notable attributes named by the students.
• Juliet Thomas, Child Nursing/Adult Nursing,for encouraging students to critically think whilst enthusing the students on the ‘dryer' areas of the course, and for being inclusive and friendly so that students can work in a pleasant and productive environment. Inclusive, professional and interesting were notable attributes named by the students.

Professor Mark Schofield, Dean of Teaching and Learning, said: "Excellent teaching is at the heart of what we do and the University values this very highly. It's great to see these awards recognise those tutors who go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the students get the best they can from their learning experience."