Behind every great teacher is a great teacher

OTTAWA – Ten of Canada’s top university faculty are starting a campaign this week to thank the teachers who inspired them in their careers. The 2011 3M National Teaching Fellows will launch a campaign starting this Saturday, February 4, 2012, in The Globe and Mail. The ads will also be published in the magazine University Affairs.

Maureen Mancuso, 3M Fellow and Provost at the University of Guelph, who has led this campaign, says: “Whether it’s through opening their eyes to new ideas or providing encouragement and motivation, a teacher can truly change the direction of a person’s life.”

The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada agrees. AUCC is supporting the series of 11 advertisements, in which each national teaching fellow will say “Thank you” to the teachers who inspired them to change.

“Canada’s universities are home to outstanding teachers, whose knowledge and skills are shaped by scholarship,” says Paul Davidson, president of AUCC. “Great professors give us the tools to navigate in our changing world – and here’s a chance to pay tribute to them.”

Anyone inspired by his or her university teacher is encouraged to post to www.thankyourteacher.ca. Hosted by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) who co-sponsors the 3M National Teaching Fellowships, tributes from the public will be featured for everyone to see.

Arshad Ahmad, President of STLHE and 3M Fellow (1992) echoes his thanks and is quick to name great teachers who have moved him. “I encourage all Canadians, irrespective of where and when they were educated, to write a note and remind their great teacher of the difference they made. Anyone can do it. After all, we are all students.”

And on February 9th, read Maclean’s magazine’s feature article announcing the 2012 3M National Teaching Fellows.

Join us!

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Maureen Mancuso
Provost, University of Guelph
mmancuso@uoguelph.ca
Tel: 519-824-4120, x53845

Paul Davidson
President, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
president@aucc.ca
Tel: 613-563-3961, ext. 232

Arshad Ahmad
President, STLHE
arshad@jmsb.concordia.ca
Tel: 514-947-2095