By Paige Hoblak (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: July 4, 2012
Dr. Sheryl MacMath of the UFV Teacher Education program was recently named UFV’s Professor of the Year. MacMath shared her feelings about the profound accomplishment: “I view myself first and foremost as a teacher,” she said. “Professionally, it represents the ultimate achievement. There is no greater honour.” MacMath is driven by her students’ success with whom she has worked hard in developing a system of reciprocated respect.
What sets MacMath apart from other professors, as noted by students, is a love for teaching that is made obvious in class. Lessons are planned according to what suits the students, rather than herself. If students are not experiencing success with the current lesson plan, changes are subsequently made. MacMath is responsive to her students and makes them aware of this fact, as modelled on a daily basis.
A strong focus of hers has been on skill development. “I pride myself on taking complex activities (such as teaching, classroom management, planning, developing critical thinking and so forth) and breaking them into manageable chunks,” she said. “I then engage students in a variety of activities to not only learn, but experiment and develop those skills. I provide a great deal of specific feedback so that students are aware of how they can continually move their own practices further. The knowledge and skills that I teach regarding ‘teaching,’ I model on a regular basis. I am very cognizant of ‘teaching’ what I ‘preach.’ Students recognize this and appreciate the consistency between my content and my method.”
Dr. MacMath has an extensive resume and abundant experience which has contributed to her success. In 1993 Sheryl completed her Bachelor of Education at the University of Victoria. She then worked for the Red Cross for several years before returning to teach elementary school in both Keremeos and Squamish, BC. MacMath then went on to complete her B. in Psychology and Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction. In 2005 she started teaching at UVic in social studies’ methods and assessment. After teaching there for a year, MacMath headed to Toronto to begin her Ph.D at OISE in curriculum, teaching and learning. Every year she would return to UVic to teach courses during the summer semester. Three years ago, MacMath was hired on as faculty at UFV. Since being at UFV she has taught numerous subjects: social studies’ methods, math methods, planning and assessment, evaluation and reporting, action research, governance and social reform, practices in education, and classroom management. She completed her Ph.D in August 2011.
MacMath expressed her concerns pertaining to the modern education system: “I believe that children are born with a passion for learning,” she said. “They are curious, responsive, interactive and easily fascinated. My biggest concern is that, for many students, this ‘passion for learning’ has often been ‘schooled out of them’ as early as grade four. This is a scary thought. The traditional ‘teacher talks and students listen’ is literally sucking the joy out of learning. The curriculum is important to cover, but it needs to be made more applicable to students in a variety of locations throughout BC. With more flexibility in the curriculum, teachers are better able to alter their unit plans to match up with the interests their students already have. Motivation is of primary importance. We need a comprehensive retraining program for teachers regarding assessment and evaluation practices. We also need to see that our teachers are revitalized. How are teachers to develop lifelong learners and active citizens when they themselves are not empowered by the government?”
She believes the mission of a teacher is to be there for students. “We need to view ourselves, as professors, as the ones that bend for students, rather than making the students bend for us,” she explained. “It is the teacher’s responsibility to tap into each of his/her students, making connections, figuring out what they need, and deciding on their strengths. Teachers then use this information to meet individual student needs. If students are safe and well-fed, if they believe they will be successful, and if they are excited about learning, learning will happen. Getting students excited to learn is also the teacher’s responsibility; teachers need to find engaging and interesting activities which both cover the curriculum and excite our students. If our student’s leave our class with a love for learning, believing that they can be successful; they will experience success throughout their lives.”
She also had specific advice for students about how to maximize their potential. “It is important to love what you do when you work,” she emphasized, “so take the time to figure it out. Don’t rush into anything. Purposefully engage with other people, people who are very different from you. Listen to them and share your ideas without trying to agree. Do specific things to give back to your community. Be an advocate, be persistent, work well with others.”
The words to describe her appreciation for this honour cannot be rightfully expressed as she notes: “Teaching gives me both joy and purpose. I love being a part of moments of ‘epiphany’ when a student makes a discovery or learns something new and exciting. There is energy and enthusiasm in those moments and I love being a part of them. I feel that teaching is an important way for me to give back to my own community.”
