Dr. Vanessa Radzimski believes the best way for students to succeed is to make mistakes and learn from them. It’s a core tenet of her teaching philosophy, along with the idea that students are the best teachers for students. Whether they enter one of Radzimski’s courses with a lot or a little mathematics experience, they find an environment where they can thrive, and that is why she is the 2024 Teaching Excellence Award winner.
“I always relate it to when I learned to ski,” she says. “I’m a Florida girl born and raised who’d never seen snow until I moved to BC in my 20s. The first time I went skiing, without an instructor, it was a painful experience with lots of falling and mistakes. After that, with the help of a great instructor, I learned.
“I always hope my students are willing to challenge themselves and struggle, because I believe moving through challenges is one of the most beautiful parts of learning.”
- – Dr. Vanessa Radzimski, UFV Today Blog
- 2024 REA recipient
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