Congratulations to Environment and Resource Studies professor Mary Louise McAllister for being named a University of Waterloo 2015 Distinguished Teacher. The award, given to those with a record of excellent teaching at Waterloo, was given to four faculty members at the University of Waterloo and will be presented at convocation.
McAllister, a Teaching Fellow for the Faculty of Environment joined the University of Waterloo in September 1996. Transcending expectations of an educator, she dedicates innumerable hours to improving the student learning experience. Her compassion and contagious enthusiasm creates an encouraging classroom atmosphere conducive to student learning and engagement.
McAllister is always searching for innovative, experiential learning techniques, and frequently employs alternative teaching methods to maximize student understanding and create an inclusive learning environment. As one of her undergraduate students said, she is “always willing to change the curriculum to best suit the needs of a specific class, providing personalized environments that create unmatched learning experiences.”
A mentor in her field, McAllister continues to share her wealth of knowledge and passion for teaching within her peer group. Her GreenTEA blog is one of the many outlets in which McAllister explores new teaching technologies and promotes deeper pedagogical reflection. An alumnus states, she is “influencing the next generation of environmental leaders”.
McAllister is set to retire in 2015. Simron Singh, a professor in the School of Environment Enterprise and Development with a cross-appointment in Environment and Resource Studies, will be taking over that role. However her teaching and mentoring excellence will be sorely missed.