Memorial honours exceptional faculty!
Dr. Dyer began his career at Memorial University in 2005.
Since that time, he has gained a reputation among students and colleagues as a skillful and caring teacher and mentor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science. In recent years, he has also demonstrated his skills in educational leadership: in 2015 he was named the Chair in Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Science.
Dr. Dyer’s teaching responsibilities range from first-year courses with as many as 166 students to senior undergraduate courses and graduate reading courses with as few as one student.
Of particular note is his commitment to Math 1000, a first-year calculus course with a large enrolment, including students with interests in diverse disciplines. As the course co-ordinator, Dr. Dyer mentors instructors who not only may be new to the course but as graduate students or post-doctoral fellows new to teaching as well. Dr. Dyer redesigned Math 1000 and developed learning resources that allow students unstructured time during class to work on mathematical problems at their own pace.
Dr. Dyer is currently working with colleagues at the St. John’s campus, Grenfell Campus and the Marine Institute to revise the online versions of Memorial’s first-year math courses. A colleague working with Dr. Dyer on the project noted that his focus has always been on student learning. She said that he has “exceptional insight into how students learn mathematics” and “innovative, practical ideas for how to maximize that learning, while maintaining very high standards for student proficiency.”
Dr. Dyer’s students say his humour, curiosity and enthusiasm capture their attention and make classes engaging and fun. He takes a personal interest in their progress and is always available for individual help. He is supportive, knows when to push and encourage perseverance, and when to suggest changing direction.
Dr. Dyer’s influence on teaching extends beyond the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. In April 2016 he and a colleague organized the Faculty of Science’s first teaching and learning retreat. Starting the day off by reminding faculty about their love and enthusiasm for their disciplines, they hoped the experience would translate into their teaching and be encouraged to support and inspire each other in developing their respective teaching skills.
Dr. Chris Radford, head, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, describes Dr. Dyer as a “real force” in the department’s outreach activities with high school students. He organizes and runs math leagues and team-based math competitions, and he participates in the Blundon Seminar, an annual retreat for high achieving math students.
Dr. Dyer enjoys teaching and works hard to understand how students learn math best. He engages with colleagues and inspires them to work with him to improve teaching and learning at Memorial. For his commitment, hard work and skill in teaching, Dr. Dyer is a most deserving recipient of the 2016 President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.
For more information about other 2016 President's Awards, please see: