Congratulations to Dr. John-Tyler Binfet on receiving 2023-2024 Outstanding Instructor Award. The Outstanding Instructor Award recognizes those who have demonstrated a continued commitment to having positive impacts on students’ experiences in their classrooms.
Renowned for his student-centric approach, Dr. Binfet fosters participatory learning experiences that empower students to excel. He has mentored and guided numerous graduate students to success, with many receiving accolades for their achievements. Through research and teaching assistantships, he cultivates a supportive environment where students hone their research skills and voice.
With over 45 courses taught, Dr. Binfet has enriched the educational landscape at UBC Okanagan, championing collaborative learning and diversity. His leadership extends beyond the classroom, as he is the founder and director of B.A.R.K. (Building Academic Retention Through K9s), a program devoted to exploring the role of therapy dogs in fostering well-being on campus and in the community that is much-loved by those that attend. He is also the Director of Graduate Programs, where he continues to strengthen the School’s programs through his expertise.
As a scholar, his research grants have resulted in 38 peer-reviewed articles(27 co-authored with students), one book, Cultivating Kindness: an educators guide, and two co-authored books, Virtual human-animal interactions: Supporting learning, social connections and well-being and Canine-assisted interventions: A comprehensive guide to credentialing therapy dog teams.
Dr. Binfet’s scholarly contributions, coupled with his compassionate leadership, exemplify excellence in education.