Utrecht University: Winners of the UU Teacher Awards 2021: Lotte Henrichs and Luciel van Vuuren
During the Onderwijsparade on Thursday, 4 March, the winners of the prestigious Teacher Awards were announced. Lotte Henrichs, lecturer at Educational Sciences and the Academic Teacher Training Primary Education (ALPO) has won the Outstanding Teacher Award 2021. Luciel van Vuuren, lecturer in Anatomy and Physiology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has been awarded Teacher Talent of the year 2021.
The jury chose these lecturers for the way in which they connect the university with society and prepare their students for life after graduation. These lecturers also did an excellent job of transforming their teaching during the corona crisis, so that quality was maintained.
The announcement ceremony was slightly different this year. Only a small group was present in the University Hall on 4 March for the Onderwijsparade. The rest of the attendees followed the ceremony online. Nevertheless, it was a festive occasion that the nominated teachers of the Teacher Awards were present in the University Hall. Ronald Bleys, chairman of the jury for the Teacher Awards, addressed the winners in the Aula. Colleagues, friends and students of the winners watched at home via the livestream.
The teachers in the election are nominated by their student associations. These students put a lot of work into the nomination process every year. Under normal circumstances, they have a place of honour on the stage in the auditorium during the announcement of the winners. Unfortunately, this was not possible this year.
The official prize ceremony will take place during the University’s Anniversary Day on Friday March 26th.
Lotte Henrichs is UU Outstanding Teacher of the year 2021. Lotte teaches at the Academic Teacher Training Primary Education (ALPO) and within Educational Sciences. Previously, she worked at Onderwijsadvies & Training, also within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. According to her students, Lotte is a ‘bridge builder’. She builds bridges between people, between scientific research and her own educational practice, and between the university and primary schools in the region. Colleagues also describe her as a warm demander; she sets high standards for her students but does this with personal attention and guidance. Students also feel that Lotte puts their learning process first.
Lotte Henrichs is nominated by Dagmar Bon and Brigitte Kok, coordinator study content of student association VOCUS.
Luciel van Vuuren is a teacher of Anatomy and Physiology within the bachelor and master Veterinary Medicine. According to her students, she brings the sometimes tough material to life. According to them, she is very involved in education and is driven to provide the best possible education, both in terms of content and didactics. Luciel is also committed to all education within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine through her participation in the curriculum committee and the Faculty Council. Before Luciel became a lecturer at the UU, she worked as a veterinarian. This pays off in her teaching: Luciel uses her practical experience to link theory to the practical aspects of the subject. She always shows her students why they should learn something or how they can use certain knowledge later on as a veterinarian. Luciel van Vuuren is nominated by Eliane Martens, assessor of the Veterinary Students’ Association.