Brad Cross may consider himself a lucky guy, but if the Association of Atlantic Universities Distinguished Teaching Award for 2013 is any proof, his exemplary teaching has more to do with passion and dedication than luck.
“I had no idea I’d get it,” he said.
The Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) has been recognizing the achievements of one or two professors in the Atlantic provinces every year since 1991. The AAU says “an individual nominated for this award will be characterized by a proven commitment to enhanced student engagement and learning, a reflective and intentional approach to teaching practices, and dedication to teaching improvement.” To many, it’s not surprising Cross, who already has an excellence award from STU on his office wall, should receive this recognition.
“I definitely think he deserves it,” said Jake Bracewell, a third-year history major and one of Cross’ students. “As soon as I saw that Brad Cross was teaching the history class I needed, no hesitation, I just enrolled. He’s definitely one of my favorite professors.”
Cross has been a professor in STU’s history department since 1999, with an emphasis on urban history and material culture.
Although Cross is passionate about history now, he actually started off as a biology student at the University of Guelph. He found the natural world fascinating, but when he took a history elective halfway through his undergraduate degree, he switched sides and joined humanities.
For Cross, hands-on research is integral to the learning process. He encourages his students to experience history in the real world through their own participation in it. Almost every year since 2002, he teams up with the drama department to take students to New York.
“In my case, when I’m studying something like urban history, if I go to a particular city where I see some urban phenomenon take place right there in front of me, it adds new dimension to my understanding,” said Cross.
This kind of learning is called experiential and it’s something that can’t be achieved inside a classroom, he said. Cross thinks students experience a new level of appreciation for the curriculum when they’re riding bikes through Central Park.
“It’s an enrichment possibility,” said Cross.
Collaboration is part of this enrichment, he said. Cross works with members from his own department as well as colleagues in all disciplines, from anthropology to fine arts. Teaching, according to Cross, is a team effort, and everyone learns from each other.
“This award could go to any of my colleagues, history department and beyond, that I’ve collaborated with,” Cross said. “How we teach is fed by each other.”
Cross’ dedication is to his students. He strives to create an environment in which their understanding can flourish. Lecturing is all well and good, but Cross said the learning experience should be more dynamic, just like the real world.
“What I try to reproduce in my classroom are some of the best experiences I had as a student.”
