DISTINCTION. Lena Hartelius, Inger Jansson and Helena Wigert – these are the latest to join Sahlgrenska Academy’s honored staff named Excellent Teachers. Our faculty has appointed 14 Excellent Teachers since the program’s inception in 2015.
Lena Hartelius, a professor of speech therapy, teaches and supervises treatment of neurologically caused speech and language problems. What she most enjoys about teaching is often being surprised, impressed and happy.
“The students and colleagues that I meet in a teaching and supervision context very often provide their own experiences and knowledge. They are committed and insightful,” says Hartelius. “From a purely selfish standpoint, I can say that being a teacher is very rewarding!”
According to the assessment by one of the external experts who reviewed Lena Hartelius’ application, she is an extremely experienced, committed and competent teacher, with a great educational interest in the development of teaching.
Fun to see students learn from each other
Inger Jansson is an associate professor in nursing. As assistant head of the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, she provides support for program and course coordinators at the institute, and she also does some teaching herself, especially within the nursing program. She most enjoys meeting students in smaller groups at seminars, where the students learn from each other in discussions. As a teacher, she believes it is important to clearly define the requirements and criteria for examinations.
“We should not be afraid to make demands on the students and then at the same time be clear about what we expect from them.”
One of the external experts who evaluated Jansson’s application concludes that her reflections and reasoning meet high quality standards and that she undoubtedly satisfies the Excellent Teacher requirements.
Curious in meeting with the students
Helena Wigert is an associate professor of health sciences. As an approved process supervisor, she is responsible for the course in professional supervision in health and social welfare, and she is also part of the teaching staff of the specialist nursing program focusing on health care for children and adolescents, where she teaches pediatric nursing students. Each semester she also supervises students in their master’s degree project in nursing.
What she finds stimulating in her teacher assignment is having an open mind and being curious about meeting with students and what is happening at the moment. She thinks reflecting on how one’s own experiences and values affect teaching is as important as knowing what students are to learn.
“We teachers need to reflect on who we are and how this affects the form and content of teaching. As a teacher, you have a position of power, which entails a great responsibility to be conscious of norms, to turn your eyes inward and reflect on what worldview and outlook on people you convey to the students. Through awareness, you can change and improve your teaching.”
One of the external experts writes that Wigert has a great commitment to teaching and its development and that she has solid teaching experience, which she has put into practice over the years in a conscientious manner.
A total of 14 Excellent Teachers in the faculty
The Excellent Teacher title was introduced by the University of Gothenburg to highlight the teaching expertise of teachers in accordance with Vision 2020. Anyone who has permanent employment as a teacher at the university can apply to be assessed for the title. The assessment, which is conducted at the faculty level using documented and proven educational practice, is based on university-wide assessment criteria.
The title of Excellent Teacher is included in the university’s salary criteria and is to be noted in salary negotiations. For Sahlgrenska Academy, the next round of applications will take place in the spring of 2020.
Starting in 2015, the following Excellent Teachers have been appointed at Sahlgrenska Academy:
- Karin Ahlberg
- Lena Hartelius
- Mats Isaksson
- Inger Jansson
- Thomas Kvist
- Annica Lagström
- Karin Manhem
- Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen
- Gunnar Tobin
- Helena Wigert
- Helle Wijk
- Kerstin Landin-Wilhelmsen
- Joakim Öhlén
- Ralph Peeker
TEXT: ELIN LINDSTRÖM
