WIT Award for Excellence in Teaching
The WIT Award for Excellence in Teaching recipient for 2006 is Mr. Kevin Ryan of the School of Engineering
In 2004 WIT introduced an annual award for teaching excellence in order to recognise the key importance of good teaching for the Institute. Nominations are sought from students and colleagues and the onerous task of selection is carried out by a panel of senior staff, students and an external expert. This year’s worthy winner was Mr Kevin Ryan, School of Engineering. The award was presented at a recent ceremony in WIT and the citation for Kevin was read by Peggy Caffrey, last year’s winner.
Citation for Mr. Kevin Ryan:
"Kevin Ryan is a quiet performer who is constantly aware of the need to update his skills and knowledge. This award recognises Kevin’s contribution to his own students and the general student body in many ways. He is without doubt a real motivator of students and this can be attributed to his work in many areas.
Because Kevin is constantly grappling with new ideas for teaching, project work and field trips his classroom interaction with our students represents a carefully crafted teaching plan which is drawn from his extensive reading and research interests. Kevin is always helpful to his colleagues in the wider community and his keen interest in conservation was rewarded with the Henry Ford European Conservation Award in 1996. Since obtaining his Senior Trades Certificates in 1973 Kevin has actively availed of the ladder of opportunity throughout his professional career achieving an M.A. in Enterprise and Technology in 2003.
Kevin has a holistic approach to his teaching giving time and energy exploring the background and interests of his students and consequently he knows all his students by name regardless of his large class sizes.
Kevin's involvement in the life of WIT extends far beyond his teaching. As manager of the Sigerson Cup squad for many years he showed great dedication and enthusiasm. He has taken students on a study visit to Denmark and Sweden, is a member of the Industry Advisory group for the Department of Building Technology and was manager and mentor of the team that won the CIOB Construction Challenge International final in March 2006.
His motivational skills were not only used in the sporting life of the college but mirrored in his teaching as described by one of Kevin's students:
"You never had to worry going into Kevin's class. Every single detail was brought to us with professionalism and diligence. Every detail was always followed by an in depth explanation and, as Kevin is famous for - a sketch. Anyone Kevin ever taught could say that nothing he ever gave us went unused. Everything represented a step closer to the real world. He never demanded respect, it was just present in every class. Respecting Kevin came naturally to all his students. Kevin’s inspiration, mentoring and guidance has helped me through my personal and professional development, teaching me by example that it does not hurt too much to work hard and that putting in the effort makes your life a lot easier."
Words like thoughtful, committed, meticulous, diligent, kindhearted, agreeable, pleasant and inspirational aptly describe the 2006 winner of the Teaching Excellence Award - Mr. Kevin Ryan"
The 2006 Award for Teaching Excellence is presented to Construction Technology lecturer Mr. Kevin Ryan, by the Director of WIT, Professor Kieran Byrne. Also in the picture are members of Kevin’s family – his wife Mary, children Louise, Billy and Anne-Marie and Dr Venie Martin, Award organiser.
