Caelan Wang, recipient of the Amit and Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student, 2019

Combinatorics and Optimization

Caelan Wang, a PhD candidate in the department of Combinatorics & Optimization, is recognized for her teaching strategies, dedication and passion in teaching. A student remarked that Wang “works hard and goes beyond what she is required to ensure the well-being of her students” and is highly present and engaged in her students’ learning. When asked about Wang’s teaching, a student replied that “her teaching was exceptional because she always went above and beyond to help, constantly tried to improve her teaching, and ultimately made the course much more understandable.” Caelan continues to look for learning opportunities to grow in her teaching, as well as in others by mentoring graduate students in their teaching through the Centre of Teaching Excellence as a Graduate Instructional Developer and a recipient of the Fundamentals of University Teaching Certificate. A graduate student whom Caelan had worked with reflected that their “teaching skills have greatly benefited from [Caelan’s] advice and support.” Wang is also a mental health advocate and part of the Women in Mathematics Committee as a Graduate Student Representative. 

Wang has been an instructor for MATH 239, and a teaching assistant for MATH 674 Topic 3.