Valerie Pelleck ©UWinnipeg
Exceptional UWinnipeg instructor, Valerie Pelleck has earned the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) Distinguished Athletic Therapy Educator Award. The recognition and esteem of her students as a teacher is one of the highest honours that can be given to an educator.
Pelleck has been an instructor at UWinnipeg in the Department of Kinesiology and Applied Health since 2010. She has taught numerous courses in the athletic therapy program including human anatomy, assessment and rehabilitation, prevention and care of athletic injuries, and issues in health. In addition to this heavy course load, Pelleck also serves as the practicum coordinator for three athletic therapy practicum courses.
Pelleck is known to connect with her students, and is a well admired instructor. She also finds innovative ways to enhance her students’ learning experience in and outside of the classroom.
Her student, Emily Harrison, vice president of the Student Association, said, “my first experience in athletic therapy was three years ago in Val’s anatomy class. Within a few short classes, I was hooked. The atmosphere she creates within her classroom is one to admire. Students feel very comfortable and willing to participate in classroom discussions and collaborate with their peers because of Val’s warm energy and persistence to learn.”
Harrison, and her fellow colleague Hope Minsky, nominated Pelleck for the award.
“Valerie is one of those special individuals who is not only a pleasure to know and learn from, but is actively involved in making the profession of athletic therapy excellent,” said Minsky.
Pelleck inspires and fosters student passion throughout their education path.
Pelleck also serves as the clinic coordinator (West) for the CATA and currently serves on the Canadian Board of Certification for Athletic Therapy (CBoCAT) and provides leadership at the regional level having served as a board member and president of the Manitoba Athletic Therapists Association.
“Val is a very dedicated teacher and an equally caring person,” said Dr. Glen Bergeron, kinesiology and applied health. “UWinnipeg is fortunate to have an individual of Val’s caliber willing to dedicate her talents, values and time to our students and to the field of athletic therapy.”
