Q & A with Sarah Rossy, Teaching Excellence recipient

How would you describe your teaching philosophy?

I am most interested in the cultural and emotional environment design of a classroom, holding space for the diverse ways of existing in the world, and cultivating a sense of belonging for all. I believe that every student has a rich body of knowledge from their own lived experiences, aesthetic tastes, and cultural backgrounds, and I invite them to weave these viewpoints into the curriculum to create a sense of real-world meaning. Music is an excellent vessel for connection.

What makes teaching at Dawson special?

Dawson students are open-minded, worldly, and extremely creative. I am equally inspired by and honoured to have worked with the curious minds I have come across, and it gives me a renewed sense of hope for our future to know that Dawson grads will soon be out there changing the world!

What is your favourite thing about teaching?

Teaching feels like planting a variety of seeds with the hopes of sowing community, knowledge, and creativity. You never quite know how and what will grow, but I love witnessing this evolution before my eyes as the semester progresses, and in the years following. Many of my students have returned to share their projects or growth, and that for me is the most fulfilling thing.