Coast Mountain College would like to congratulate Professor of Geography in the Environmental Geosciences Program, Matthew Beedle Ph.D., on winning the first-ever West Coast Teaching Excellence Award.

Coast Mountain College is privileged to be situated in some of the most stunning and spectacular places on earth, boasting rich culture, history, and landscapes. Because of this, the College has focused on being the place of choice for experiential place-based learning. We think learning in this place should be active and reflective and should be different because it happens here in this special world-class place. And, when thinking of the many great professors and instructors that embody the best of experiential teaching in and for this place, Matthew Beedle, is a shining example.

Matthew brings a special mix to his teaching craft and research—a high level of skill, expertise, and heart along with a low level of ego and pretense. Because of this approach, Matthew helps learners actively engage through a variety of learning settings. Using his extensive experience researching and facilitating on glaciers and in the field, Matthew is a key catalyst in both bringing the College’s domestic, international, and Indigenous students into life-changing field-based learning. And, at the same time, Matthew translates the best elements of learning in the field into labs, classes, and even through virtual learning. This approach has helped reach far beyond the College and has been key in helping the College acknowledge and contribute to the important work with the territories and the First Nations we are situated on. Bravo Matthew Beedle!

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