At the Congregation 2025 held today (24 May), the University of Macau (UM) presented the Teaching Excellence Award for the 2024/2025 academic year to Katy Ieong Cheng Ho Weatherly, assistant professor in the Faculty of Education (FED), in recognition of her outstanding teaching performance.

Every year, the recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award is selected by a selection committee from nominees, who are faculty-level teaching award recipients, through a rigorous process. Selection criteria include the following: teaching philosophy, depth of knowledge in the subject area, outstanding communication skills and teaching effectiveness, outstanding contributions to the quality of curriculum development, the ability to promote student learning by stimulating and sustaining the intellectual development of students, innovative approach to teaching and learning, and leadership in promoting teaching excellence within and outside the university.

Prof Ho Weatherly felt honoured to receive the award and expressed her gratitude. She shared that the award is not only a recognition of her teaching efforts, but also a tribute to her students, whose curiosity, creativity, and perseverance continually inspire her. Their growth has given her a deeper understanding of the true essence of teaching. Prof Ho Weatherly also thanked her colleagues and mentors at UM for their support, which has helped her maintain her passion for teaching. She emphasised that for her, education is more than simply passing on knowledge; it is a transformative force that can change lives. She added that teaching is both her responsibility and her mission, and education has the power to spark students’ passion for learning and help them discover their boundless potential.

Prof Ho Weatherly joined UM in 2023 and is currently an assistant professor in FED. A passionate educator and talented musician, she obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Viola Performance from The Juilliard School in the US, and her master’s and doctoral degrees in Music and Music Education from Columbia University. Prof Ho Weatherly is adept at incorporating creative pedagogies, gamification, and reflective practices into her teaching. She has received numerous awards and scholarships, including the 2025 Outstanding Emerging Researcher Award from the Center for Music Education Research at the University of South Florida, the Junior Researcher Award from the National Association for Gifted Children in the US, and the Enid and Lester Morse Fellowship from Columbia University. Prof Ho Weatherly’s interdisciplinary research spans music, early childhood education, and teacher training. She is dedicated to inspiring students to realise their potential, enhancing their learning abilities and self-motivation, and empowering them to create their unique value and meaning in the world.