Dr Fionnuala Tynan, lecturer in the area of inclusive educational methodologies in the Department of Reflective Pedagogy and Early Childhood Education at Mary Immaculate College (MIC), was selected as the overall winner in the Regional Teaching Excellence Awards held in Mary Immaculate College on Tuesday 7 May.
The annual Shannon Consortium Regional Teaching Excellence Award ceremony, now in its eleventh year, showcases excellence in teaching and learning within the three third level institutes of the Shannon Consortium: Mary Immaculate College, the University of Limerick and Limerick Institute of Technology. Each institution may put forward a maximum of three applicants, who are then put through a rigorous shortlisting process based on an extensive teaching portfolio submission supplemented with a recording of their teaching.
Accepting the award Dr Tynan, who has been lecturing at MIC since 2016, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be the recipient of this award. I am passionate about teaching and know the life-changing influence of great teaching. In an era defined by the marketisation of education, with increased pressure to publish, there can be a sense that our teaching in higher education matters less and less. This award is testament to the fact that here in Limerick, through the Shannon Consortium, teaching in higher education is valued and celebrated. I feel privileged to work in an institution that supports me to flourish as a person and as a professional in my teaching. I am indebted to my colleagues who have engaged in peer observation of my teaching and allowed me to observe them, those who have stimulated discussions about educational practices and challenged my thinking. We become good teachers, not in a vacuum, but through dialogue. Teaching matters, we need to continue to make it count.”
Commenting on the award Professor Eugene Wall, President of MIC said: “We at Mary Immaculate College are delighted once again to have a member of staff selected as the overall winner of the Shannon Consortium Regional Teaching Excellence Award. Fionnuala is a committed and innovative member of the MIC community and has made an outstanding contribution to MIC since she joined three years ago. I heartily congratulate her on this very significant recognition of her many talents as a teacher.”
Speaking at the event Dr Gwen Moore, Director of Teaching and Learning, MIC, said: “The Shannon Consortium Teaching Excellence Award showcases excellence in and dedication to Teaching and Learning in the region. It involves the compilation of a very detailed and reflective teaching portfolio and a recording of the shortlisted applicant’s teaching which are adjudicated by a panel of international external experts. Dr Tynan has demonstrated professional excellence, scholarship and capacity for reflection on her teaching. We, in the Learning Enhancement and Academic Development Centre at MIC are extremely proud and delighted that she has won the award.”
This year’s awards were adjudicated by an external panel comprised of Dr Rachael Carkett (University of Bath), Dr Martina Crehan (RCSI), Dr Mark Glynn (DCU) and chaired by Dr Sharon Flynn (NUIG).
Shortlisted applicants included:
From the University of Limerick Dr Tom Comyns, Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Dr Muireann McMahon, School of Design, Faculty of Science and Engineering and Dr AnnMarie Ryan, Management and Marketing, Kemmy Business School. From Limerick Institute of Technology Dr Matthew Canon, Applied Social Sciences, Faculty of Business and Humanities and Simon McGuire, Creative Broadcast and Film Production, School of Art and Design.
Main picture above (L-R): Professor Eugene Wall, President of MIC, presenting Dr Fionnuala Tynan, who was the overall winner at the Shannon Consortium Regional Teaching Excellence Awards for 2019.
