Master Teacher Award to Physical Education Professor

Posted May 21, 1997


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-05-10-OTHER

Physical education professor wins
master teacher award

Saskatoon SK, May 20, 1997 -- The latest recipient of the university?s
master teacher award is Professor Len Gusthart, of physical education.
The award, which is presented at each convocation and carries a $1,000
prize, underscores the importance the university places on excellence in
teaching.

His nominators and supporters offer glowing assessments of Professor
Gusthart's teaching abilities, noting, for example, that he consistently
fosters a collegial working relationship with his students, whom he
regularly asks to evaluate his classes by identifying strengths and areas
in need of improvement. The ratings he receives are consistently high,
reports one ex-student.

Others speak of his willingness to be available before or after class to
help anyone needing assistance; his openness to criticism and change;
his encouragement of students? dreams and aspirations.

Gusthart has drawn from his own expertise to investigate the precursors
and factors required of excellent teaching, says a colleague who goes on
to note that the informal network of student opinion and peer assessment
has clearly recognized Dr. Gusthart as one of the best teachers in the
College of Physical Education.

Comments gleaned from student evaluation sheets mention his fairness
and open-mindedness, his contagious enthusiasm, and his love of
subject. He prepared a handout every day with our class so that we
could listen and discuss rather than be busy writing everything down,
one reports.

Gusthart has been nominated for the USSU Teaching Excellence Awards
three times, and in 1994 he was recognized for distinguished
achievement in sport pedagogy by the International Association of
Physical Education in Higher Education.

He was instrumental in organizing one of the university?s first teaching
circles, made up of both faculty and students to discuss various issues in
teaching. He has regularly participated in professional development
programs sponsored by the Canadian Society for Teaching and Learning
in Higher Education and the Searle Centre for Teaching Excellence at
Northwestern University.

A graduate of the U of S, Gusthart joined the college of physical education
as a special guest lecturer in 1974, subsequently obtaining a Ph.D. from
Bowling Green State University (Ohio) in 1982 and rising through the
ranks to become a full professor in 1986.

For more information, please contact:

Professor Len Gusthart
College of Physical Education
(306) 966-7697