Award Recipients
President’s Awards 2020 Recipients | Excellence in Teaching Award
Tonia Richard Faculty of Social and Community Services
“Students respond very well to Professor Richard’s teaching pedagogy. They have developed a deeper appreciation of systemic issues as well as the social processes that impact their lives and the lives of others. As a result of her support, several students have been empowered by her compassion.”
Lynn Bachinski, Program Coordinator, Community and Justice Services
Knowing that degree of vulnerability that surfaces in their courses, and in order to connect with students where they are emotionally and cognitively entering these conversations, Professor Richard employs cognitive behavioural therapeutical strategies that are deeply rooted in empathic and non-judgmental approaches, in conjunction with a deep understanding of socio-political issues to encourage her students to ground their interactions with others in the lived realities of the people with whom they will eventually work with.
Having first joined Humber as a part time faculty member and then became a full time faculty member in 2015, Professor Richard has exemplified a commitment to inclusive and equitable teaching both inside and outside the classroom. In regards to Professor Richard’s excellence in teaching practice, she teaches courses in interpersonal skills, conflict management, placement seminar and interviewing skills.
These courses have required students to critically engage in addressing interpersonal conflict with attention to self-reflection. Knowing that degree of vulnerability surfaces in these courses, and in order to connect with students where they are emotionally and cognitively entering these conversations, Professor Richard employs cognitive behavioural therapeutical strategies deeply rooted in empathic and non-judgmental approaches in conjunction with a deep understanding of socio-political issues to encourage her students to ground their interactions with others in the lived realities of the people with who they will eventually work.
Professor Richard’s students have developed a deeper appreciation of systemic issues as well as the social processes that impact their lives and the lives of others. As a result of her support, several students have been empowered by her compassion.
Professor Richard is an exceptionally dedicated worker and Professor.
With due diligence, critical theoretical standpoint and commitment to student success and service, Professor Richard’s nomination is supported without reservation.
