UWI-ROYTEC hosted its inaugural Biennial Exceptional Teaching Awards on the evening of Saturday 6th March, 2021 via livestream on its Facebook page. This inaugural Awards Ceremony was held under the patronage of Professor Brian Copeland, UWI St Augustine Campus Principal, Pro Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Directors, UWI-ROYTEC. The event was made possible through the kind sponsorship and investment of platinum sponsor, the National Lotteries Control Board and gold sponsor, Sagicor Life Inc.
The Exceptional Teaching Awards presents an exciting opportunity to identify and recognize faculty members, who demonstrate exceptional teaching through consistent positive feedback from students and subject heads, use of sound teaching strategies and the adoption of a teaching philosophy that is student-centred and aligned with UWI-ROYTEC's Mission, Vision and Core Values. At this inaugural event, UWI-ROYTEC recognized nine (9) exceptional members of our faculty who have made outstanding contributions to teaching at UWI-ROYTEC.
The winners of UWI-ROYTEC’s Exceptional Teaching Awards 2021 are:
Ms. Michelle Collins (1st place)
Subject Group, Early Childhood Care and Education
From L to R: Ms. Michelle Collins, 1st Place Winner & Ms. Wendy Augustus, Executive Director, UWI-ROYTEC
Dr. Karima Pragg (2nd place)
Subject Group, Psychology, Sociology and Politics
From L to R: Ms. Suzan Worrell, Events Manager, NLCB & 2nd Place Winner Dr Karima Pragg
Mrs. Wendy Campbell-Paul (3rd place)
Subject Group, English and Communication
L to R: Mr. Jacinto Martinez, VP Sales & Marketing, Sagicor Life Inc. & 3rd Place Winner Mrs. Wendy Campbell-Paul
Special recognition and honour was given to the life and work of the late Dr Jennifer Lavia who also received an award posthumously, for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Lavia served as Director, Academic Services, UWI-ROYTEC from January 4th 2012 to July 31st 2016. She was a formidable educator who was exceptional in her own right. Dr. Lavia was a visionary, an educational leader and a beloved mentor to her students. She was an inspiration to students and faculty and challenged them to approach life with a critical mind. To learn from Dr. Lavia was to be challenged with great subtlety and with great humility, love and attentiveness.
Dr. Lavia passed away on April 23rd, 2019 but she lives on in her published work and personal collection of books and resources which have been donated to the Library at UWI-ROYTEC.
L to R: Mr. Leon-Omari Lavia, son of the late Dr Jennifer Lavia & Ms. Wendy Augustus, Executive Director, UWI-ROYTEC