Great teachers can have a great impact in the lives of students, and it is wonderful to see the contributions of such teachers being acknowledged. Dr Margaret Edgley from the School of Science and Technology is one of those great teachers. In June, the School celebrated the achievements of Dr Edgley, who has retired after 35 years of teaching at UNE, including 13 years as an adjunct Lecturer. In recognition of her dedicated service and contribution to teaching, the University marked the occasion by awarding Dr Edgley a Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer’s Service Award for Excellence in Teaching (Academic Staff).
Dr Edgley has been teaching science to nursing students since nursing was first offered at UNE. She was originally employed as a lecturer in the Department of Science, Technology and Mathematics Education at Armidale College of Advanced Education (ACAE) until mid-1989, then at UNE following the amalgamation of the ACAE with UNE. She was then appointed as a Lecturer in the Faculty of the Sciences. Dr Edgley initially retired in 2006, but continued to teach at UNE, first as an Honorary Fellow, and then as an adjunct Lecturer in the School of Science and Technology, for a further thirteen years.
Throughout her time at UNE Dr Edgley has made enormous contributions towards the development of the Bachelor of Nursing and the Bachelor of Health Science degrees, and had been critical to the success of these programmes. She has worked with nursing colleagues on the continuous restructure of the Bachelor of Nursing to keep in touch with advances in the field. Dr Edgleys colleagues have commented on her professionalism, attention to detail and active support of students. Her approach to teaching has made well loved and respected by students and she has also been a valuable mentor for new staff.
The Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer’s Service Award recognises Dr Edgleys excellent service to the University over a period of many years. Staff from the School of Science and Technology joined Dr Edgley and Vice Chancellor Professor Annabelle Duncan at a celebratory morning tea at Booloominbah to mark the occasion, and to farewell Dr Edgley as she officially retires for the second time.