Wilfrid Laurier University is recognizing three outstanding student educators with 2024 Student Teaching Awards of Excellence.
The annual awards program honours undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students who have contributed to exceptional learning experiences for Laurier students through thoughtful and intentional teaching approaches.
“Laurier's 2024 Student Teaching Award recipients have displayed a tremendous commitment to student success,” says Trish McLaren, Associate Vice-President: Academic. “Each recipient is an outstanding educator, mentor and leader who is willing to go above and beyond to ensure students are supported, guided and inspired.”
Recipients of the 2024 Laurier Student Teaching Awards of Excellence:
Undergraduate category
Katlyn Melcher possesses an unwavering dedication to assisting students in their academic journeys and creating learning spaces based on the ideals of equity, diversity and inclusion.
A lead instructional assistant (IA) for Communication Studies, an IA for the Women and Gender Studies department, and a Writing Services tutor, Melcher has demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for teaching, creating inclusive educational spaces and supporting students in their writing assignments.
Melcher places a focus on collaborative learning experiences including small group activities, partner discussions and class-wide dialogue, which deepen understanding of course materials and foster a sense of community in the classroom. Melcher also provides timely feedback, helping students manage their workloads.
Melcher holds a deep commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. As a lead instructional assistant, they have worked to raise awareness among fellow IAs about the importance of diversity and encouraged the active use of proper pronouns in the classroom.
Care for students is also central to Melcher’s work. They are committed to supporting each student whether inside or outside of learning spaces. They are also focused on accessibility and accounting for the diversity in physical and learning abilities among students.
“I am honoured to have been nominated and selected for the Laurier Student Teaching Award of Excellence,” says Melcher. “I would like to express my appreciation for students who have helped to positively shape my pedagogical approaches. I am also grateful for my supervisors, who have provided me with mentorship and support since becoming a student educator.”
“Looking to next year as a master’s student at Laurier, I am excited to continue contributing to this wonderful community.”
Katlyn Melcher
Master’s category
Olena Kuntyj’s passion for teaching complex biological concepts has had a positive impact on student success in Laurier’s Department of Biology.
As a laboratory instructor for BI349: Embryology and BI449: Developmental Biology, Kuntyj prioritizes student success, placing a focus on fostering supportive and inclusive learning environments where students feel valued, respected and empowered to participate.
Kuntyj adopts a hands-on teaching approach during in-person labs, where she interacts with students and offers them the chance to ask questions, share ideas and develop a deeper understanding of biology concepts. She regularly maintains communication with students, both in person and online.
Kuntyj’s supportive teaching approach is exemplified when it comes to assessing student assignments and providing feedback. Her grading approach not only focuses on explaining why students lost marks, but also helping them understand how to enhance future assignments.
Kuntyj incorporates Universal Design for Learning principles into her teaching, ensuring the needs and abilities of all learners are met. She has also taken on a role as mentor to undergraduate student volunteers in Laurier President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah MacLatchy’s laboratory, where research is focused on the effects of environmental contaminants on fish reproduction, development and growth.
“I am very honoured to have been selected for the Laurier Student Teaching Award of Excellence,” says Kuntyj. “I am immensely grateful to all of my students, who have contributed to my growth as a teacher by providing valuable feedback and suggestions. You are all biology rockstars and I aim to maintain a supportive and encouraging learning environment.”
“I would also like to give a huge shoutout to my teaching team. Thank you for your unwavering support, which has allowed me to develop a true passion for teaching.”
Olena Kuntyj
Doctoral category
Alishau Diebold has developed a teaching philosophy focused on establishing a classroom culture of valuing care, courage and holism. She strives to build a strong sense of belonging among students through using inclusive and relational approaches. Diebold does this by working to understand student needs, providing timely and constructive feedback, and encouraging open communication.
As an instructor in Laurier’s Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work, Diebold believes that classrooms can serve as spaces for transformation, which she says becomes possible when principles of accessibility and equity are integrated into all areas of course curriculum, delivery and assessment. Diebold’s teaching practices inspire students to cultivate curiosity and intellectual growth. These practices involve creating a learner-centred classroom and offering students inquiry-guided experiences to build a foundation for critical thinking and social work practice applications.
Diebold has also taken on leadership and service roles including positions as the graduate student member of Laurier’s Senate and Board of Governors. She also served as president of the Wilfrid Laurier University Graduate Students’ Association, where she led training, projects and events dedicated to enhancing the collective wellbeing of graduate students.
“The recognition of receiving a Student Teaching Award of Excellence fills me with sincere gratitude,” says Diebold. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to my mentors and students, whose ongoing encouragement fuels my growth as an educator. Their steadfast support, unwavering trust, endless enthusiasm and constructive criticism have profoundly shaped my journey.”
“Together, we’ve worked intentionally to build learning environments that emphasize inclusivity and co-creation, where the perspectives and contributions of each learner are valued and respected.”
Alishau Diebold
