Associate Professor Christian Schott (School of Management, Wellington School of Business and Government), and David Cox (Lecturer (Teaching) in the School of Mathematics and Statistics, Wellington Faculty of Engineering) have both won a 2022 Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award in the Innovation in Learning, Teaching and Curriculum category.
Celebrating outstanding tertiary educators who are making a difference to learners, their whānau and communities, the Te Whatu Kairangi award is one of the most well-recognised and respected tertiary education awards programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Associate Professor Schott’s work in the Tourism Management programme centres on “leading the VR experience in tourism teaching and learning”, with specific focus on a learning approach centred on student needs. Fostering learning that is both relevant and accessible is key for Schott, as he celebrates the backgrounds, perspectives, and approaches his diverse learners hold. Schott’s learners value his supportive approach to kōrero where “no question is a dumb question.” One learner commented, “Christian is a supportive, innovative, and passionate lecturer who has inspired me.”
His innovation in VR Situated Experiential Education has won him international recognition and awards, including a prestigious Sustainability Gold Award from Wharton-QS Reimagine Education in 2020. Schott’s colleagues describe him as “a great leader,” and his work as “immersive, engaging, cultural, and social.”
David Cox excels at the teaching job he loves. Teaching one of the largest first year courses at the University, Cox is challenged with balancing learners who excelled in Year 13 Statistics, and those who hate maths and lack faith in themselves to succeed. Through a range of student-centred innovations and a passionate concern for at-risk learners, Cox has transformed his course, evidenced by increasing pass rates, better results for Māori and Pasifika learners, and the testimonies of his learners, their whānau, and his peers.
Colleagues say that “David's use of innovative teaching technologies, and his championing of those in other courses within the School, has been appreciated very much by students… and staff.” A learner commented, “I know no other lecturer more supportive about uplifting Māori and Pasifika students… he could see my potential when I couldn’t.”
Please join us in congratulating both Christian and David on their incredible achievements, and their commitment to our University.