MIC Lecturers Recognised for Teaching Excellence in Regional Teaching Excellence Awards

Dr Miriam Hamilton, a lecturer in Science Education, MIC, was recently selected as the overall winner of the Regional Teaching Excellence Awards held at the University of Limerick

Dr Miriam Hamilton, lecturer in Science Education at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) was selected as the overall winner of the Regional Teaching Excellence Awards held at the University of Limerick on Wednesday 26th April.  There was more good news for MIC as Dr Siobhan Howard, lecturer in psychology at the College was amongst a select group of five shortlisted for the prestigious award. 

The annual Shannon Consortium Regional Teaching Excellence Awards ceremony, now in its ninth year, showcases excellence in teaching and learning within the three third level institutes of the Shannon Consortium: Mary Immaculate College, the University of Limerick and Limerick Institute of Technology.  Each institution may put forward a maximum of three candidates, who are then put through a rigorous short-listing process based on an extensive teaching portfolio submission supplemented with a recording of their teaching. 

Accepting the award Dr Hamilton, who has taught science for many years at a post-primary level prior to taking up a lecturer position in MIC in 2015 said “I am delighted to accept this award. This opportunity has enabled me to reflect on my teaching philosophy in a scholarly way and will undoubtedly enhance my practice with the students I teach”. 

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Dr Siobhan Howard, (L) lecturer in Psychology, pictured here with Dr Kerry Greer, Department of Psychology, Mary Immaculate College.

Dr Siobhan Howard, who was shortlisted, said of the process “Developing a teaching portfolio is an engaging and enjoyable experience and has been extremely influential in my development as a teacher in higher education. Teaching is such an integral and important part of our roles as academics in higher education, requiring continuous attention and professional development. The Shannon Consortium have been instrumental in providing opportunities for professional development and ensuring high standards of teaching practice across the consortium”. 

Professor Eugene Wall, Acting President of MIC offered his congratulations saying: “We in Mary Immaculate College are very proud once again to have two faculty members shortlisted for this important award with Dr Miriam Hamilton being the overall winner. I heartily congratulate Miriam and Siobhan, both of whom are committed and innovative staff members, on this very significant recognition of their talents as teachers.” 

Speaking at the event Dr Gwen Moore, Director of Teaching and Learning, MIC, said: “Dr Hamilton and Dr Howard have evidenced their professional excellence, scholarship and capacity for reflection on their teaching. The Centre for Teaching and Learning is extremely proud to have two members of MIC academic staff shortlisted for the award and we are delighted that Miriam Hamilton has won the award”. 

This year’s awards were adjudicated by an external panel comprised of Dr Rachael Carkett (University of Bath), Dr Martina Crehan (RCSI) Dr Rebecca Turner (University of Plymouth), Dr Mark Glynn (DCU) and chaired by Dr Sharon Flynn (NUIG).  Shortlisted candidates included  

Dr Yvonne Cleary, Culture and Communication; Patrick Rowsome, Design & Manufacturing Technology, Faculty of Science & Engineering, and Dr Patrick Buckley, Department of Management & Marketing, KBS; all from the University of Limerick.

To find more about the Regional Teaching Excellence Awards, click here.