President's Teaching and Learning Awards 2003/2004
Angela Leahy

Angela is a dedicated and inspirational teacher. She has been a driving force in the development of a range of new courses in both the language and intercultural areas. Her student-focused, enthusiastic approach to teaching has made her one of the most popular lecturers in the entire School. This popularity is evident in the positive feedback from students who have repeatedly praised her ability to motivate and encourage everyone in the class. I personally have come to value Angela as an outstanding colleague whose reliability, flexibility and adaptability, as well as openness regarding innovative pedagogical approaches towards teaching and learning, have made an invaluable contribution to the smooth and successful running, not only of the German Section but of the entire School.

Angela was one of the first lecturers to subscribe to and practice a successful learner-centred approach, and she prepares her lessons according to the individual needs of every student. Students benefit greatly from her huge support and her open-door policy towards them. It should be pointed out that Angela's approach to preparation and follow-up work is exemplary: not only does she prepare each and every lesson meticulously, but she also does not avoid homework tasks which require considerable time to be spent on correction, and numerous rewriting of students papers, for example portfolios, which leave her with an exceptional amount of homework every week. It goes without saying that this practice maximises learning for each student.

One of Angela's particular strengths has been assisting students in making the transition from secondary school to first year at university at both an academic and personal level. She takes the notion the "pastoral care" element of her job particularly seriously and devotes considerable time and energy to it.

Angela has also been closely involved with the induction of new staff into the German section within SALIS and has been quick to share materials and ideas with them and to provide them with exceptional support and assistance in adapting to a new working environment as well as a new country.

Angela recived nominations from numerous students, here are excerpts from just some of them:

"Angela was my german lecturer last year, my first year in DCU. Coming to college was so much different than I had expected. After being hand fed information and homework in school, attending huge lectures, where the lecturer doesn't know who you are or how you are doing at the subject, I was very daunted. However, I was in one of Angela's small german groups where I finally felt there was someone in DCU who knows me, who will notice if I am not in or if I am struggling. "

"Angela brightens up the classes each day. We all look forward to her German class as she has an interesting and effective way of teaching. She doesn't lecture the class, instead, she encourages us to participate and talks to us. She is always thinking of new ways to make the grammar classes interesting and fun. She is always there for us when we need help, and is always patient when we need extra help. "

"Angela has shown so much commitment over the last year, helping everybody in any way she can. She makes learning Grammar interesting and easy and she always encourages you to better yourself in exams. I have learned more German over the past 2 Semesters than I have ever learned since I started doing German back in 1st year of Secondary School."

"Angela Leahy has unique, original and skilful methods of teaching. She succeeds where others fail. She manages to retain the attention of the class while describing the most boring of topics. She has a skill of making students feel comfortable in asking the most trivial of questions. Every single one is important."

"As a result of her distinctive and distinguished teaching methods, she convinced me (and no doubt countless others) that the language was within my grasp."

"The little nuances of her teaching such as little hints and subtly getting people to participate are another ingredient of what makes Angela so deserved of this award. "

"She was the first person I spoke to about my repeat exams, I was in a pretty grim state but she managed to focus me on the task ahead, break down the facts and what I had to do. Without her support I probably would have been a mess and I will always appreciate the time she took to look after me."