October 5 is World Teachers’ Day, and to mark the occasion UCOL teaching staff were treated to jars of candy labelled with quotes about the importance of good teaching, care of the Faculty Executive Deans and Operations Managers.
World Teachers' Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and is devoted to appreciating, assessing, and improving the educators of the world.
Dean Rankin, Danny Reilly and Penny O'Leary - Executive Deans of the Faculties of Humanities and Business, Engineering and Applied Technologies, and Health and Sciences respectively - say it is important to acknowledge the role good teachers play in setting students on career paths and shaping them as people.
They say that excellent teachers find ways to connect with their students, and adapt their own teaching styles to meet their students' needs. A hallmark of UCOL lecturers and tutors is their willingness to go the extra mile to help their students succeed.
UCOL graduates often highlight how well supported they were by their lecturers. Here are just a few examples:
Chrissy Renata - Nursing Graduate
"The staff were awesome. They understood the challenges I was facing and showed me different ways of learning. They treat each student as an individual and my degree belongs to them as well."
Mikayla Edmundson - Interior Design Graduate
"The lecturers were always more than willing to help and to guide me in the right direction and give me feedback on my work in ways that helped me push my boundaries and try new things. This was extremely valuable as it helped me learn a lot about myself and the way I work."
Laura Signal - Music Graduate
"It was great having guidance from people who know what they're doing, aren't scared to tell you when you're doing badly or well, and provide direction on how to get better. I've missed having that really close guidance since I moved on from UCOL."
Jade Boerboom - Science Graduate
"The lecturers were very understanding when it came to sick days, or if I had to leave early. They'd email me work and offered support. Writing isn't my strongest point, so the lecturers were also very good at helping me proofread my assignments before I handed them it."
Lena Matiaha - Business Administration Graduate
"My lecturers were very encouraging when it came to my job. A classmate and I couldn't make the day classes because of work, so the lecturers would meet with us in the evenings to give us our lessons. Without that support, I don't think I would have completed my studies."
Brody McCosh - Automotive Engineering Graduate
"My tutor was the best teacher I've ever had – really supportive throughout the course."
Zach Meads – Cookery Graduate
"From my first-hand experience I can vouch that UCOL's teaching style and all the support they give makes it the perfect place to study."
