UPEI’s Fiona Walton receives 3M National Teaching Fellowship
Dr. Fiona Walton, Professor of Education at UPEI, has been awarded a 2012 3M National Teaching Fellowship. Each year, the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and 3M Canada join together to reward exceptional teaching and learning at Canadian universities. Walton was among the 10 teaching fellows chosen for this year.
She is known as a visionary, a determined and courageous educator who makes a difference, and creates a lasting legacy in aboriginal education. Dr. Shannon Murray, Professor of English at UPEI and also a 2001 3M National Teaching Fellow, agrees.
Murray was the one who nominated Walton for the prestigious award. 'Her work has expanded the notion of what, and where, a university can be in the Canadian context,' said Murray. 'This was exemplified on Canada Day 2009, when 21 Inuit women students in Iqaluit graduated with master of education degrees. Fiona was instrumental in establishing that groundbreaking program.'
Walton describes her teaching philosophy as teaching toward bettering selves, teaching beyond the classrooms, and teaching toward caring and democratic communities. This is exactly what she has demonstrated throughout her work in Inuit education for over 30 years.
UPEI President, Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz expressed the University's pride in Walton. 'On behalf of UPEI and its community, I extend congratulations to Fiona for this great accomplishment. Her passion and caring nature complement her high standards in teaching and learning, and we couldn't be more proud of her.'
Walton is deeply honoured to represent UPEI as a 2012 3M Teaching Fellow, 'Thanks to Shannon Murray and many other colleagues; teaching well is greatly valued at UPEI. I have received encouragement, support, and advice within a culture that helps us all to improve student engagement and learning- something I believe to be very important.'
