Prof. Mia Maki - Learning and Teaching Centre

2010 Peter B. Gustavson School of Business Teaching Excellence AwardProfessor Mia Maki, Senior Instructor,Faculty of BusinessMia, what do you like about teaching at UVic?I love that I am making a difference. What I do translates into the work and creations of mystudents as they head out into the world.Who or what inspires your teaching (past/present)?My father is a University professor (Math, U of A), and he is an award-winning teacher too.He is so passionate about his teaching, even today!What is your favorite teaching tip?Don’t assume that the students really heard you or will retain what you said. Repetition,emphasis and using a variety of aids (quizzes, images and anecdotes) will help them totruly understand and retain whatever you have to offer.What is your philosophy towards teaching?Overall, my teaching philosophy is to think about what knowledge and skill development aparticular student cohort needs. From there, I use my understanding of how adults learn tocreate a curriculum that delivers these learning objectives, and to be open to emergingcohort needs and innovations in teaching so that I grow and develop as an educator while Itry to make a difference to as many students as possible.When you design a course/teach a class, what are the main goals you have for yourstudents?I create learning objectives for every course based on three areas: knowledge, skills andvalues. Each individual objective addresses one of the areas. Each course is pretty unique –I am not sure that I have main goals that are repeated…What do you take away from the students you teach?

So much! Their enthusiasm and energy is inspirational. I take away hope for the future ofthe world when I see them growing and learning. They teach me much about the world astheir experiences are so different from mine.Mia Maki