NYU in London Professor wins
Global Education Distinguished Teaching Award
Each year, the NYU Study Abroad Sites for which the Vice Provost, Globilization and Multicultural Affairs is responsible, are able to put forward a candidate for the Global Education Distinguished Teaching Award. The choice of winner is made on the basis of the Site Director's recommendation , and supporting documentation, including student evaluations from the previous two semesters. NYU sites abroad, like NYU itself, prides itself on its research-led teaching, and so the research profile of the candidates is also considered.
This year, the award has been won by Dr. Valerie Wells, of NYUL and Kings College, University of London. Below is the announcement of the award to Dr. Wells, made by Vice Provost Nyarko.
"It is my pleasure to announce Dr. Valerie Wells as the Recipient of the 2006 Global Education Distinguished Teaching Award. Dr. Wells has been a member of the Biology faculty at NYU in London since January of 2002. In addition to achieving excellence in her teaching standards, Dr. Wells has integrated into her curriculum site visits to Darwin's House, the Natural History Museum and the Eden Project in Cornwall. She regularly attends student functions and faculty meetings and is a major presence in the academic life of the NYU in London Campus.
Her research scholarship, focused on the study of the genetic structure of cancer cells, has the view of finding ways to help in the science involved in the treatment of a disease which affects so many around the world. She has shown to her students her love of her field and her very high levels of scholarship, inspiring them to work hard in her classes.
I present below some of the comments of her students from her evaluations.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Wells on this outstanding achievement."
Yaw Nyarko
Vice Provost
"Dr. Wells was absolutely amazing. She was very informative and you could tell she really wanted to teach and wanted us to learn."
"Dr. Wells really cares about her students."
"Dr. Wells wanted us to learn and be stimulated by things we were actually interested in learning. The Eden Project paper and the presentation were an effective way of achieving this."
“Professor shows genuine interest in teaching the students. The interest also stimulates kids to perform better."
"The material presented in the lectures was organized and it will be much easier for me to draw on my notes in later classes."
"She was the best."
"Dr. Wells provided an excellent learning environment with openness to questions, comments and suggestions."
"The most organized, insightful and helpful instructor I have had in my college career. “
“The instructor integrated supplementary materials (i.e., labs, articles, field trips, videos) adroitly and seamlessly.”
“I’ve learned so much this year.”
“I really enjoyed Biology this semester...This course has opened my mind to Biology.”
“Professor Wells was fantastic. NYU should pay her more money (or at the very least send her flowers).”
“She was, in all senses of the word, just brilliant.”
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