The Killam Teaching Prize is awarded annually to faculty nominated by students, colleagues and alumni in recognition of excellence in teaching.
This April, Michael received the 2021 Killam Teaching Prize. He joins several other faculty members in receiving this honour, and notably during the pandemic.
Michael is well-regarded by students, clinicians, educators, and scholars for his expertise and impact on students’ well-being, psychosocial rehabilitation, and curricular research and development. In the classroom, he strives to create a safe space for learners, provide a variety of learning avenues for students, and acknowledge learners’ values and the individual motivations that drive them.
Michael’s students write that he “leads with generosity, empathy and humility,” cares genuinely about his students’ learning and experience, and “goes above and beyond to ensure the success and wellbeing of his students.” Since 2010, he has mentored many of the students who run UBC’s Mental Health Awareness Club, and in 2018 he received the Margaret Fulton Award in recognition of his “exceptional contributions and significant improvements to the student experience and learning environment at UBC.”
For anyone who has the pleasure to know Michael, this award is not surprising, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate his achievement.