Celia Popovic (left) and the Chair of EDC, Erika Kustra (right)
Faculty of Education Associate Professor Celia Popovic has been awarded the Distinguished Educational Developer Career Award by the Educational Developers’ Caucus (EDC). The award recognizes Popovic’s influential career in the field of educational development at the local, provincial and national levels.
In fact, only a year ago Popovic received an equivalent award from the Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA) in the UK. As a result, despite it being a very rare case, her lifelong contributions to educational development were awarded by two national organizations. “In both cases, I was touched deeply because this is an award from my peers, from people who know and understand my work, and, it turns out, value it too. I was particularly amazed to be recognized by both national organizations” said Popovic.
Her interest in the field of educational development dates back to her early years as a lecturer where she noticed her teaching style was based on her experience as a student. She quickly realized not everyone would have the same approach to their learning. A course she took opened her eyes to “the wide range of teaching approaches available, and to an awareness of multiple perspectives, motivations, and needs in the classroom.”
Popovic started her career in the UK and continued to contribute to higher education when she came to Canada. “As a Brit arriving in Toronto in 2011, I faced a steep learning curve. We may share a language and some of the administrative structures in public life, but there are also huge chasms between Canadian and UK culture and practice.”
Coming to Canada, Popovic joined York University as an educational developer and soon became the founding Director of the Teaching Commons, a role that she served in for 7 years. “I worked with a group of wonderful people, educational developers, researchers, and administrators who display a passion for their work, dedication to the Teaching Commons, and unflinching optimism and belief in the power of education to transform lives and improve society” she said.
The Distinguished Educational Developer Career Award celebrates Popovic’s successful career dedicated to educational development across Canada and beyond, her impactful scholarship in higher education, and her leadership in establishing a national framework for the accreditation of educational development programming.