Q & A with Steven Assaf, Teaching Excellence recipient

How would you describe your teaching philosophy?

My course is about building an open and safe environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and saying how they really think and feel while creating bonds with their classmates.

I have developed a particular method that I like students to discover naturally as the semester unfolds. I always ask my students to stick with the program for the first two weeks until they understand where we’re going.

Although the course material does not change, I believe in tailoring every lecture based on the students in my class. This creates an engaging environment where students learn and see how important it is to be able to adapt to your audience.

I disappear into the background, so the focus is on my students, never me. In the final year, the students take over. Even those who are shy have become confident presenting to their class and even to other classes.

What makes teaching at Dawson special?

Everything. There is such a unique culture and diverse population that fits exactly into what I am trying to do. Students see people who are different to those they grew up with.

First and foremost, I am only able to do what I do because of the foundation that was laid before I ever got the opportunity to teach the most amazing students. This ranges from the staff who recruited and selected the students, to all the teachers who came before me.

What is your favourite thing about teaching?

I love teaching students to recognize their own great potential and also supporting them as they take steps to achieve it. The best part about my job is seeing the students grow over the course of the program.