Prof. Eleni Panagiotarakou Wins President’s Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Eleni Panagiotarakou was awarded the President’s Excellence in Teaching Award (PETA) in the category of "Excellence in Teaching by a Part-time Faculty Member."

Dr. Panagiotarakou regularly teaches in the Department of Philosophy many courses, including PHIL 241 - Philosophy of Human Rights, PHIL 261 - Aristotle and Hellenistic Philosophy, and PHIL 342 - Political Philosophy.

She says she loves teaching because "it is a mutually beneficial learning journey between teachers and students. One of my favourite quotes by Socrates is 'ἕν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα' or 'I know that I know nothing'. This quote opens the door to ataraxia (non-disturbance) which sadly is in short supply in our contemporary world of passionate opinions."

The award recognizes excellence in teaching as evidenced by the ability to engage students, stimulate intellectual growth and encourage their highest achievements, inspire independent and original thinking, and support a diversity of student learning needs.