{"id":18471,"date":"2015-09-25T08:16:19","date_gmt":"2015-09-25T00:16:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/media-release\/new-dean-is-one-of-the-worlds-greatest-teachers\/"},"modified":"2015-09-25T08:16:19","modified_gmt":"2015-09-25T00:16:19","slug":"new-dean-is-one-of-the-worlds-greatest-teachers","status":"publish","type":"media-release","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/media-release\/new-dean-is-one-of-the-worlds-greatest-teachers\/","title":{"rendered":"New Dean is one of the world\u2019s greatest teachers"},"content":{"rendered":"

A passion for delivering innovative teaching practices has landed Curtin University\u2019s new Dean Teaching and Learning Science and Engineering a chance at winning the largest teaching award in the English-speaking world.<\/p>\n

Professor Teri Balser is one of three finalists, the only one from Australia, in the Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching. Designed to honour outstanding professors who are distinguished for their ability to communicate as classroom teachers, the award has a personal prize of $US250,000 plus $25,000 for the winner\u2019s university.<\/p>\n

For Professor Balser, a soil science researcher and 2010 CASE\/Carnegie Foundation U.S. Professor of the Year, the key to creating a climate that is conducive to people doing their best work is to innovate teaching practices through an integrative landscape.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want science and engineering to be known as a place where quality, engaged teaching happens,\u201d Professor Balser said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no \u2018one-size-fits-all\u2019 approach, it is important to recognise an individual\u2019s strength as a teacher and allow them the space to express that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Curtin Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education Professor Jill Downie said attracting an educator of Professor Balser\u2019s calibre to Curtin was evidence of the University\u2019s commitment to foster innovation throughout its teaching practices.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot only do we strive to provide first-class content for our students, but also to deliver that content through innovative, modern teaching practices,\u201d Professor Downie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving such a dynamic educator as Professor Balser at Curtin adds strength to this commitment and a very valuable resource to our teaching stable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Professor Balser comes with an impressive CV including 10 years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and most recently, the University of Florida where she became the first female dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. She said Curtin was an exciting and forward-thinking institution.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe job-description was the perfect fit, the University\u2019s strategic plan is exciting and I fell in love with Perth and Curtin,\u201d Professor Balser said.<\/p>\n

Professor Balser will travel to Baylor University in Texas, United States, next week to deliver a public lecture on 6 October, the final step in the adjudication process.<\/p>\n

Ends\u2026\/<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Note to Editor:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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