This week, the 2019 Distinguished Teacher Awards were announced at Senate and we're proud to see Arts professors are two of the four recipients! The awards will be officially presented at Convocation this June.
Since the awards started in 1976, 70 Arts professors have been recognized for their achievements - more than any other faculty.
Congratulations to this year's recipients!
Steve Balaban, School of Accounting and Finance
Steve
Balaban,
a
lecturer
in
the
School
of
Accounting
and
Finance,
has
received
many
praises
from
not
only
his
students
and
his
fellow
colleagues
in
the
Faculty
of
Arts,
but
also
from
his
colleagues
in
other
faculties.
Balaban
influenced
the
careers
of
several
of
his
students,
and
continues
to
be
a
mentor
to
them
long
after
their
graduation.
His peers admire the efforts he has made to incorporate new and interactive learning techniques into his lesson plans, such as problem-based learning and experiential learning. His students also really appreciate his efforts, as one student noted: “His lectures never felt like lectures, but rather interactive discussions.”
Balaban shows genuine interest in seeing his students succeed, and many have commented on the integral role he has played in their professional and academic success. His lessons are known to emphasize “the importance of personal development, teamwork, communication, and relationship building.” Balaban has been described as “passionate,” “engaging” and “humble.”
Additionally, it is noted that his most admirable quality is “his constant desire to improve his teaching abilities and the learning environment."
Andrew Houston, Communication Arts
Additionally, he uses his strong network of contacts to provide them with opportunities to further their careers. It is noted by many students that his most outstanding quality is his ability to engage diverse learners in his lessons. As one student commented: “He makes sure to teach each concept by explaining it in multiple different ways, so that everyone understands.” One of his peers noted that his dedication to collaborative pedagogies “enriches and strengthens the department, the work of his colleagues, and the university as a whole.”
Houston is highly regarded by students, alumni, colleagues and local artists in the community.