In honour of World Teachers’ Day, four of the Ingram School of Nursing’s faculty discuss the rewards, challenges and misconceptions about teaching.
World Teachers’ Day is celebrated around the globe on October 5th. This year’s theme is “The transformation of education begins with teachers.” We asked Argerie Tsimicalis, Elizabeth Murphy-Lavallé, Anne-Laurie Beaubrun, and Jayalakshmi Caliaperumal to share their thoughts on the challenges and rewards of teaching.
Argerie Tsimicalis
Professor Tsimicalis joined the ISoN in 2012. She has taught undergraduate BNI and BScN courses as well as graduate courses (masters and PhD) and has trained postdoctoral fellows and visiting scholars. As well, she has taught students in medicine, oncology, experimental surgery, human genetics and psychology. She is involved in provincial and national research training networks and hosts national events for students to showcase their scholarship.
What do you find most rewarding about teaching?
When I help open the doors to endless opportunities for the students.
What do you find most challenging about teaching?
When I am faced with students who just want to be told what they need to know. Hence, shifting the mindset of a student who is not ready to embrace learning, curiosity, or scholarship; and a zest for excitement, passion for learning and enacting change.
What is the most common misconception about teaching?
I struggle with the misconception that unless one lectures, the teacher is not teaching. Teaching is not solely to be taught from the faculty instructor. University students are also teachers and should be contributing to the teaching of their peers. We should be learning together.
Elizabeth Murphy-Lavallée
Elizabeth Murphy-Lavallée is Assistant Director, Simulation & Satoko Shibata Clinical Nursing Laboratories. She began working at the ISoN in August 2017. She teaches health and physical assessment to BScN, BNI on campus and online, and MSc (Applied) Nursing students, as well as various skills courses in the labs.
What do you find most rewarding about teaching?
Being with the students and seeing them grow as professional nurses.
What do you find most challenging about teaching?
Seeing some students struggle with the course material and/or personal difficulties.
What is the most common misconception about teaching?
That teachers are there only to teach content. I truly believe that we are there to assist adult learners to grow and learn. We are there to guide them and support them to integrate the knowledge learned and translate it into practice.
Anne Laurie Beaubrun
Anne Laurie Beaubrun has been working at the ISoN since 2018. She currently teaches first year students in the BNI program.
What do you find most rewarding about teaching?
Supporting students and witnessing their professional growth as well as their personal growth. I love it when they come to me and explain how they have applied what they have learned in class. I am grateful to hear how their learning positively changes their professional practice.
What do you find most challenging about teaching?
Students are human beings, and they sometimes go through some challenges. Their vulnerability and their fragility during difficult times are things that touch me a lot. All I want is to see them succeed. Therefore, supporting them to find the best solution for their academic journey in these moments is sometimes challenging.
What is the most common misconception about teaching?
One misconception is that the teacher has all the knowledge and the students learn from the teacher. However, we do not know everything! Our role is to support and facilitate learning. We encourage students in their observations, reflections, analysis and critical thinking. And we also learn from them.
Jayalakshmi Caliaperumal
Jayalakshmi Caliaperumal has been with the ISoN since September 2021. She teaches courses in the BScN and BNI programs as well as students in the MScN-Applied program.
What do you find most rewarding about teaching?
A teacher’s greatest reward comes from being a part of the students’ learning process. When students recognize the effort their teacher has put into their education, it is invaluable.
What do you find most challenging about teaching?
I find it challenging when some students don’t focus on the learning and defend themselves for marks.
What is the most common misconception about teaching?
That university education is only for students. The best aspect of being an educator, in my opinion, is that I get to learn alongside my students. Teaching is a profession where we have the opportunity to be lifelong learners.
