The Residential Colleges Teaching Awards are held annually to honour faculty members who showcase excellence in teaching. These awards highlight the commitment of educators to foster learning environments that extend beyond the traditional classroom. Dr. Cindy Fu, a fellow at Residential College 4, was recently recognised with the RC Early Career Teaching Award.

Currently, Dr. Fu teaches UTC1702G: Thinking in Systems: Markets and Inequality and UTC2729: Mastering Causal Inference at RC4. We spoke to Dr. Fu to gain some insights into her experiences and approach to teaching:

Congratulations on receiving the RC Early Career Teaching Award! What does this achievement mean to you? 
Receiving this award is incredibly rewarding - it's amazing to know that my passion for teaching and creating a buzzing classroom environment is appreciated. It definitely motivates me to keep finding new ways to spark curiosity and help my students grow!

How would you describe your teaching approach and how does it shape the way you engage with your students?  
Something perhaps a little special about my teaching approach is that I like to think of my classroom as a team effort: we're all scholars here, eager to learn and explore new ideas together.  I'm all about open discussions and teamwork, where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts. My goal is to guide students to become confident and independent thinkers who know how to ask the right questions and tackle tough challenges head-on.

What excites you most about teaching at RC4? 
RC4 is a fantastic place where students are encouraged to see the bigger picture and become real-world problem solvers. It's so rewarding to see those "aha!" moments when students connect the dots and apply what they've learned. The energy and diverse perspectives in the classroom make every day an adventure!

This recognition through the RC Early Career Teaching Award not only celebrates Dr. Fu’s contributions, but also reinforces the value of passionate educators and their role in shaping future leaders at the College.