Brenda Baird Psychology Professor University Ottawa
	On her first time teaching… “My first course was abnormal psych and I had prepared probably six months in advance, typed out everything I was gong to say…and after every page I had happy face meaning that I had made it through that page. So I started lecturing and the slides went up… and something happened. Out of nowhere this person came out and started talking and making jokes and I remember at the break thinking, “Who was that person?” When it was over I thought, “Oh my god they’re going to pay me to do this?” Carleton gave me that teaching experience.”
Brenda teaches in the Department of Psychology at the University of Ottawa. Her storytelling lectures have been described as inspirational. Guiding students to assimilate new knowledge with something they can relate to in life and then deeply exploring that view.  In this way her lectures speak to the individual so that every student’s interest is captured.A major part of her teaching also involves the development of innovative techniques to transform the traditional classroom into her “pedagogical laboratory”.  These innovations are designed to maximize learning for students having different learning styles, challenges and skills, which ultimately provides all students with the optimism and confidence to excel.Brenda has dedicated her career to teaching and course development, but mostly to enriching the student experience and making a difference in the lives of young minds. As testament to her passion and dedication to teaching Brenda was a recent recipient of the National Capital Educators Award, which recognizes the outstanding achievement of our local educators.