TWU alumnus Tim Stephenson (’87), winner of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence, continues to inspire children to explore questions about the origins of the universe.
“Did God make it?” This is a question science teacher Tim Stephenson (’87) hears quite regularly while teaching his astronomy classes in the Langley School District. In his time as a teacher, he has had some incredible opportunities to inspire children and to discuss in depth questions about the origins of the universe.
“I don’t bring these discussions, the students do,” says Tim. “But I’m smart enough to listen to what these kids have to say and to entertain their questions and to allow them to flesh out their thoughts and ideas.”
“If the student has a question, my lesson plan may go out the window,” adds Tim.
Tim decided to start teaching astronomy when he realized that there was lots of flexibility in terms of what teaching science could look like in the school district, and that there were many opportunities to dig deep into concepts of space and the environment.
Over the last 27 years of teaching, he’s been able to inspire many children. In 2018, a group of his students decided to nominate him for the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. He ended up being selected as one of the recipients of this award and had the opportunity to travel to Ottawa and meet with the Prime Minister and members of parliament.
“It will always be a pinnacle moment in my teaching career. It comes from a place of working with kids and sacrificing the time, because I want to, not because I have to,” says Tim.
Listen to Tim's interview on the TWU Alumni Spotlight podcast.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has five campuses: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, Ottawa, and Bellingham, WA. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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