Sherwin Tjia

Ayman Behiery

Anatomy & Cell Biology

Osler Teaching Award (Faculty of Medicine)

My father, who worked in the field of teaching and education, had a large influence on me. His early advice revolved around the critical concept that people cannot provide what they are missing. Therefore, it is always useful to check, test, and examine my own understanding of a point before trying to convey it to others.

On many occasions I felt I wanted to become a teacher: when some teachers made topics crystal clear and, at other times, when teachers made a subject so mystifying that one could lose an interest in learning. I was also inspired when classmates and colleagues (in Egypt, England and Kuwait) pointed out and encouraged my ability to teach.

The most moving moment, which I will never forget, was when the 2003 medical dentistry class president interrupted our lab session to announce that I was the winner of the Osler Award. The lab erupted into roars of applause, and I experienced something very difficult to describe. The deep mutual respect and appreciation the students and I had were at their highest.

Every class is my favorite, and every class is precious.