Killam Teaching Prize and Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award – 2024/2025 CHBE Recipients 

We’re proud to share that this year, three members of our CHBE community have been recognized for their excellence in teaching with Killam Teaching and Teaching Assistant Awards.  

Killam Teaching Prize 

Congratulations to Dr. Naoko Ellis for receiving a 2024/2025 Killam Teaching Prize. This prestigious award is given to faculty members nominated by students, colleagues, and alumni for excellence in teaching. Dr. Ellis’s dedication to education and her impact on student learning make her a deserving recipient of this honour. 

Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award

We also extend congratulations to CHBE graduate students Layal Jbara and Ali Khodaei Tehrani, who have received a 2024/2025 Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Award. This award honours GTAs who have shown outstanding teaching and leadership in their roles. Recipients are recognized for excellence across several areas, including:  

  • Demonstrating strong subject knowledge and the ability to support student learning
  • Explaining concepts clearly and organizing effective tutorials or labs  
  • Actively helping students develop transferable skills like communication, teamwork, and critical thinking  
  • Building positive relationships with students and fostering collaboration  
  • Incorporating new teaching techniques and reflecting on personal development  
  • Acting as role models with professionalism, ethics, and support for diversity  
  • Providing timely, constructive feedback and engaging with the broader community  

Both Layal and Ali have shown these values through their work, making meaningful contributions to the learning experience of CHBE undergraduate students.  

We’re incredibly proud of Dr. Ellis, Layal, and Ali for their contributions to teaching and learning in our department. Congratulations!