CONESTOGA COLLEGE
School of Business faculty member awarded Conestoga's top teaching honour

Students and faculty at Conestoga have benefitted from Shirkhodaee's leadership, expertise and passion for learning. A qualified and experienced educator, Shirkhodaee holds an MBA and a Master of Strategic Marketing. She joined Conestoga in 2018 and has led the Business - International Business diploma program since its inception at the Kitchener - Downtown campus.

In her role, Shirkhodaee promotes program quality through participation in program reviews, and identifies and implements changes which have improved student graduation rates and alignment with program learning outcomes.

She participated in the development of two new specializations - Customer Service and Retail Management, writing course descriptions and developing the new Service Marketing course. As a curriculum guide for the Products and Services in Global Markets course since 2020, Shirkhodaee updates and integrates the material for online and in-person delivery. Throughout the pandemic, she ensured materials were developed - and redeveloped as required - to suit evolving student and program needs.

Shirkhodaee also supports the School of Business' adoption of the Principles for Responsible Management Education by developing and implementing assignments aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

A lifelong learner, Shirkhodaee has completed five micro-credentials at Conestoga and more than 100 workshops on effective teaching strategies. Taking a creative approach to teaching, students in Shirkhodaee's classes have experienced the innovative tools she develops and incorporates into her courses to engage learners.

Her students describe her as a tireless student advocate who is truly attuned to their needs, always making herself available for questions, support and mentorship. She goes above and beyond her teaching duties and helps students interact and learn from one another.

The award was presented to Shirkhodaee during the college's 2024 fall convocation celebration, held October 20 to 25.

Established in 1988, the Aubrey Hagar Distinguished Teaching Award is named in honour of respected teacher, mentor and innovator Aubrey Hagar, who, as a member of the college's founding Board of Governors, provided leadership to the college for more than two decades in director roles.

Candidates are nominated by students and peers and evaluated by a selection committee based on contributions to learning design, innovation and creativity, integrity and professionalism, promotion of quality in education, concern and sensitivity for students, and ambassadorship for the college.