April 19, 2007
Teacher, artist, administrator Stuart Richmond recognized
by SFU for his teaching talents.
Having taught art and arts education to university students for almost 20 years, Stuart Richmond is more than experienced at guiding young minds. In recognition of this, SFU recently awarded him one of three Excellence in Teaching Awards.
An accomplished photographer who exhibits regularly, Stuart expertly combines his own artistic sensibilities with art and education theory and manages to impart to his students a combination of motivation, creativity and a desire to challenge themselves. While he wasn't aware of being nominated for the award, he is pleased to be a recipient because "teaching is important as a proving ground". This kind of feedback is also an affirmation of what is central to Stuart's teaching career as he seeks to give his students motivation to work and the space to develop and explore and bring their ideas to fruition. It is through this process, that Stuart feels students are challenged to think for themselves and learn to develop a critical voice of their own. Not surpisingly, it is this same commitment to personal growth and exploration that has contributed to Stuart's success in leading art classes for challenged kids as well.
Stuart's accomplished leadership, and that of his arts colleagues, is evident in the strong enrollment of the Faculty of Education's Masters and PhD programs in Arts Education. This is important says Stuart because it confirms, "art does have a place in education and in students' lives".
For more information on the Masters of Education or PhD program, please visit www.educ.sfu.ca/gradprogs/