12 Teaching Hero awards for IT Sligo

IT SLIGO celebrated an incredible 12 Teaching Hero Awards at a special online ceremony recently.

The lecturers were recognised during the livestreamed USI Student Achievement Awards Ireland (SAAI) following a national nomination campaign in late 2020.

This is the third iteration of the Teaching Hero Awards, co-ordinated through a partnership between the National Forum, the Union of Students in Ireland and other students’ unions across the country. Students were encouraged to consider the wide range of those who teach, including lecturing staff, tutors, supervisors, technicians, librarians and any who are involved in teaching students across the sector.

The nomination process provided an opportunity for students to shine a light on some of those who have made a difference to them during their studies. Across the three iterations of the awards, over 6,500 students have taken time to submit nominations.

Data from previous Teaching Hero Awards show that students who participated in the nomination process valued their teachers for certain kinds of characteristics and behaviour.

These traits included generosity with time, approachability, helpfulness, passion for their subject, encouraging of student learning, and skilled communication. Examples of how well those who teach responded to the pandemic context was also mentioned by many students in submissions received in 2020. This year was incredibly challenging for students and staff alike who had to adapt to remote learning and invent creative ways to engage in education.

IT Sligo staff who received

Teaching Hero awards last week, awarded by the USI Student Achievement Awards Ireland (SAAI), were Áine Doherty, Akinlolu Akande, Caroline McNulty, David Doyle, Allison MC Gillen, Máire Hanniffy, Jessica Mannion, Joan Morrison, Mary Heneghan, Owen Kenny, Rose Banaghan-Sesta and Veronica Rogers.

This is one of many recognitions

IT Sligo has received this academic year having previously been named in the top five Universities by UniMultirank and in the top 10 in the Sunday Times Good University Guide. The institute is currently working towards Technological University status with GMIT and LYIT.

PICTURED: Some of the Lecturers from IT Sligo who received Teaching Hero awards.