Teaching Excellence: 2025 Fine Arts Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients Announced

Each year, the Faculty of Fine Arts celebrates exceptional educators through the Distinguished Teaching Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to student learning, curriculum development, and innovative pedagogy. This year's recipients are: Raymond Marius Boucher, senior lecturer in the Department of Theatre, who received the Established Award for a full-time faculty member; Paul Scriver, part-time instructor in the Departments of Music and Design and Computation Arts, who received the Established Award for a part-time faculty member; and Joana Joachim, Department of Art History, and Juan Ortiz-Apuy, Department of Studio Arts, who jointly received the Emerging Award.

“This year’s awardees exemplify the trailblazing spirit and values that define our Faculty. Through their commitment to decolonization, sustainability, experiential learning, and inclusive pedagogy, they not only contribute to the excellence of our programs but also demonstrate a collective dedication to fostering transformative, socially engaged learning environments,” says Annie Gérin, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

“Congratulations on your leadership and commitment to inspiring the next generation of creative changemakers!”

Elaine Paterson, associate dean, Academic Programmes and Pedagogy, underscores the strong student enthusiasm behind this year’s winners.

“Something that stood out with this year’s nominations was that the majority of them were put forward by students; a clear indication of the high esteem in which our Fine Arts faculty are held,” she notes. “The many student testimonials in each of the nomination dossiers also underlined the valuable expertise and real-life experience that these instructors bring to the classroom, and their ability and willingness to help each individual student develop in their academic career and beyond.”

For Paterson, the recipients distinguished themselves through their deep dedication to students and curriculum innovation. This year’s nominees are recipients of other teaching awards such as the URTA Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Training. Being recognized with a Fine Arts DTA makes them eligible for further recognition, such as the President's Excellence in Teaching Awards (PETA) and eventually external teaching awards such as the 3M National Teaching Fellowship.

“Having both Established and Emerging awards is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate those who have given so much to their departments and their students, but also those who represent the bright future of Concordia’s programs and pedagogy.”

Spotlight on the Honourees

Established Award for full-time faculty member: Raymond Marius Boucher, Senior Lecturer, Department of Theatre

Student, alumni and colleague testimonials spoke to Raymond’s transformative impact as an educator, his passion for theatre-based learning, and his exceptional ability to mentor, challenge and support each student’s professional growth.

“My work as a scenographer has allowed me to diversify my practice, ranging from theatre to exhibition design, art direction for film and apply these skills as an educator. Having also been active in the community as an active member and for years having been a board member of the Association des professionnels des arts de la scène du Québec (APASQ), I enjoy bringing this expertise to my classes and leveraging these connections to allow my students to enjoy free performances and to meet professionals who are invited to discuss their practices. Of course, I don’t hesitate to present my work to them while explaining the challenges encountered,” remarks Boucher.

“Known for my lifelong hard work, I encourage my students to adopt this approach as it is an integral part of my own practice. I always strive to give the best of myself, no matter how long it takes. Learning to lead in scenography is demanding — you need to be efficient and ready to work tirelessly to achieve the best results. Being knowledgeable, eager to learn new skills and recognizing their transferability, maintaining strong relationships with colleagues, being fearless and ready for demanding challenges: this is what I hope for my students stepping out of my classes and program,” he states.

“I enjoy inspiring my students to critically engage with past practices and seek to think outside the box to develop concepts that reflect their own artistic vision and apply them to their future projects as innovative and sustainable solutions and, eventually, to their career paths and graduate studies,” adds Boucher.

Established Award for part-time faculty member: Paul Scriver, Part-time instructor, Departments of Music and Design and Computation Arts

Students and colleagues cited Paul’s innovative, experiential teaching methods, including his famous immersive Soundwalk, his dedication to equity and community-building, and his unwavering commitment to student success across diverse learning styles.

“The first outdoor soundscape workshop I organized took place during the Covid-19 pandemic. That March gathering provided my students their first and only opportunity that year to safely experience each other's company in person. The energy was truly electric that day and there was real excitement about everyone getting to finally meet in person and an exuberance about being out in Montreal together. The workshop's immediate popularity made it clear this should become a recurring event,” recalls Scriver.

“Many first-year electroacoustics students are new to Montreal. For most students, this represents their first experience giving sustained, focused attention to their sonic environment. The soundscape workshop brings them into a direct experience of their adopted home. By collaboratively planning their "sound safari," they develop trust while discovering the sounds of a new neighborhood. I’m always happy to hear from my students about their own solo field recording forays. Often, weeks after the workshop, they will organize their own adventures and incorporate their recordings into their pieces,” he reflects.

“I've been fortunate to work with exceptional mentors. Kevin Austin — my undergraduate professor with whom I became a co-teacher in the Electroacoustics 1 class in 2015 —always emphasizes the importance of meeting students where they are and always asking them for their reflections on their own learning experience. Maintaining high standards while teaching diverse groups with varying experience levels presents a puzzle. I provide motivating challenges that inspire them to find their own path. Giving them many, varied opportunities to find their creative strengths helps me understand each student better, while allowing them to learn about themselves and discover what truly excites them,” notes Scriver.

Emerging Teachers Awards: Joana Joachim, Assistant Professor, Department of Art History

Testimonials emphasized Joachim’s innovative pedagogy and great commitment to a Black feminist perspective, as well as her innovative pedagogy — all of which invite critical thinking and engagement.

“I fundamentally believe that everyone everywhere has the right to have their needs met. I believe that we all deserve to have full lives and to able to flourish. This includes both the people in my classroom themselves and the people they will eventually be living and working alongside in their own capacities as professionals in the art world. So, my role as a teacher involves making sure I model this for my students and equip them to the best of my ability to do the same in their own way. We all have the capacity to make positive social change in big and small ways within our communities and my goal is to show what those small changes could look like in the context of the art milieu,” reflects Joachim. 

“I’m truly touched to know that my teaching has reached beyond the realm of the classroom. I take this role seriously and wish to see my students succeed first and foremost. It is not a given for discussions in these courses to continue to resonate with students after that last assignment is submitted! Each instance of this is precious and I’m glad to play a small part in any student’s pathway, let alone to reach their families or communities in tangible ways,” she adds.

Emerging Teachers Awards: Juan Ortiz-Apuy, Assistant Professor, Department of Studio Arts

As for Ortiz-Apuy, students and colleagues highlighted his innovative, inclusive, and artfully crafted approach to teaching, his commitment to decolonizing and sustainability-focused pedagogy, and the everyday care he brings to supporting and inspiring his learners.

“I first joined Concordia as an undergraduate student almost 20 years ago, and the experience at that time changed my life. As a young person of colour, the professors who I met then introduced me to ideas, artists and authors that shifted how I saw the world, and myself in it. Today, in a teaching capacity, I am motivated by this tremendous possibility of effecting change, while also continuing to learn,” says Ortiz- Apuy.


Stay tuned this fall for the upcoming call for nominations for the 2026 awards cycle.