Since 2001, faculty teachers at LTH have been able to earn recognition in the field of pedagogy by obtaining the level of competence ETP (Excellent Teaching Practitioner). The teachers who have been recognized this year as particularly excellent teachers are Ivar Björnsson, Johan Gran, Sophie Manner, Fredrik Torisson, and Magnus Åhs.
With inspiration from past teachers
Sophie Manner is a senior lecturer in organic chemistry at LTH. For her, the ETP competence level is a confirmation that she is on the right track as a teacher.
In her own teaching, she draws a great deal of inspiration from the teachers she herself has had.
“After high school, I took a foundation year in the natural sciences and had a fantastic chemistry teacher. His teaching methods were a real eye-opener for me. He really paid attention to his students and was clear in his instruction. His teaching style helped spark my interest in learning.”
When Sophie Manner reflects on her own teaching, she says:
“I want to be present and create a learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions. I believe one way to do that is to really pay attention to all the students, but also to be open and approachable.”
Recognized by LTH's management
At a reception honoring this year’s pedagogical awards, the teachers were recognized by Annika Olsson, Dean of LTH, Kristofer Modig, Assistant Dean for first and second cycle studies, and representatives from CEE, Centre for Engineering Education.
Kristofer Modig explains that LTH has been working on educational development through the competence level ETP for the past 25 years. He says:
“Our educational development efforts have grown year after year and have contributed to increased awareness of teaching and learning throughout the organization. The work has also sparked interest outside LTH, where several universities in Sweden, as well as in Norway and Iceland, have looked at our approach and been inspired by it.”
“A valuable source of inspiration”
Teachers who have themselves earned the excellent teaching practitioner competence level may also serve as internal evaluators in future selection processes. At the same time, they can draw inspiration from the applicants’ teaching ideas.
Ingrid Svensson, senior lecturer in biomedical engineering, received her teaching certification in 2002. Since then, she has contributed to LTH’s educational development through her affiliation with CEE as an internal pedagogical expert in the ETP process.
Magnus Hagelsteen, lecturer in risk management and societal safety who received his ETP certification in 2017, also serves as an internal pedagogical expert at CEE within the ETP process. He explains that they handle ten to twenty applications per year, and says:
“The applicants’ portfolios are a valuable source of inspiration and knowledge that demonstrate that LTH has many educators with strong teaching skills.”
The Dean of LTH, Annika Olsson, agrees, saying:
“This teaching award is a way to highlight that, just as we have excellent researchers, we also have excellent teachers.”