Paul McKone, recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award, 2022

Paul McKone, Knowledge Integration

Paul McKone, Senior Design Instructor in the department of Knowledge Integration within the Faculty of Environment, has been described as a kind, humorous, and approachable instructor who always puts his students’ best interests first.  His teaching style embodies experiential learning methods at the University of Waterloo and utilizes hands-on learning, lively discussions, and collaborative projects to engage students.  He uses his eclectic background to create innovative course projects that engage students in real-world thinking—like an environmental design project for which students proposed designs to complement the new light rail system through Waterloo Park.  Paul’s teaching style has also been described as consistent and inclusive. He provides clear background on the important components involved in projects such as project management, risk assessment, and stakeholder considerations. A former student noted that it never seemed as though he valued some knowledge over others: “He treated every activity in the program as a valuable learning opportunity, and he confidently presented all of what he had to share.”