Kinesiology and Health Sciences Professor David Hood and Psychology Professor Adrienne Perry have won teaching awards this year from the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
The annual awards recognize teaching and supervisory excellence as well as scholarly, professional and teaching development and curriculum initiatives. They were presented April 5 at a Graduate Studies council meeting.
This is Hood’s second teaching award. The Canada Research Chair in Cell Physiology won his first from the then Faculty of Pure & Applied Science in 1999. Hood is "perfect example of the critical thinking, self-evaluation and self-confidence that aspiring scientists require," said Ron Pearlman, interim dean of Graduate Studies, in presenting Hood with his second teaching award. Hood is a professor in the School of Kinesiology & Health Sciences, Faculty of Health.
Right: David Hood
Hood has been teaching at York for 18 years. Students say his lectures are energetic, engaging and learned and his passion and enthusiasm are infectious. They appreciate the confidence he displays in their abilities and they praise his skill, knowledge and innovation as a mentor. Cited for his drive, professionalism, motivation, productivity and personality, Hood serves as a model for how former students who’ve gone on to become professors conduct of their own labs and supervise their own graduate students.
Perry, director of clinical training in psychology and a full-time professor at York since 2002, was cited for her superior supervision and mentorship in letters of support for her nomination, said Pearlman. Her dedication, availability and approachability are key elements to her success as a mentor, a role she embraces with passion and enthusiasm. She has a special ability to integrate theory with applications and has redesigned core courses to enhance students’ learning experience 
and help them develop their clinical skills.
Left: Adrienne Perry
Perry was cited for taking a sincere interest in students’ academic and professional goals and for her availability, prompt responses and genuinely caring attitude. Students say her lectures are inspirational, challenging and thought-provoking and commended her for using of student feedback to improve her already considerable teaching skills. They praised her for giving them her undivided attention and instilling in them the importance of maintaining a balance in life.