The UBC Department of Geography extends its enthusiastic congratulations to three exceptional Teaching Assistants receiving the 2025 TA Award: Mia Fajeau, Graham King, and Jaxon Slaney. The remarkable contributions these educators make to our department and student body are invaluable. Their dedication to academic integrity and building a welcoming community of open-minded learners is notable. Drawing from wide ranging personal and academic backgrounds, each of our TAs adds valuable insights to our curriculum and student experience.
Mia Fajeau is pursuing a MSc degree in Ecology, Geospatial Analysis, and GIS under the supervision of Dr. Naomi Schwartz. Mia’s research focuses on the ecological dynamics of tropical forest-savanna mosaics in Southeast Asia using remote sensing and field-based methods. She is interested in the use of historical aerial imagery to understand landscape stability and vegetation shifts in response to management practices and climate change. She is also interested in understanding the mechanisms that maintain abrupt boundaries between forests and savannas, with the goal to help inform management practices that support livelihoods and biodiversity.
“Being a TA has been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling parts of my Masters program and I am honoured to receive this award. As a TA I try my best to create a learning environment where students feel welcome, supported, and open to challenge. Meeting students where they are at and working with different learning styles is important to me and I am grateful to all the students who have helped me develop these teaching skills.,” shares Mia.
Graham King is pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in Economic Geography under the supervision of Dr. Trevor Barnes. He studies the oil industry in his home province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Using an institutional-economic perspective inspired by Harold Innis, he is interested in how the province uses oil for economic development.
“Fortunately, our course content in the geography department often speaks for itself; I’m only translating and mediating most of the time. Nonetheless, thanks to the students for their respect and recognition. If there is more praise to be given, I think it’s to a department that encourages freedom in the classroom and entrusts us TAs with it.,” reflects Graham.
Jaxon Slaney is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Economic Geography, Urban Geography, Urban Political Economy, Housing Affordability, Neoliberal Urbanism, and Entrepreneurial Governance under the supervision of Jamie Peck. Jaxon’s thesis research is on Vancouver’s housing affordability crisis, specifically focusing on the major transit-oriented development, the Broadway Plan. I am critically analyzing the Broadway Plan’s efficacy, the rise of supply-side strategies, impacts on local communities, and, more broadly, transformations in Vancouverism.
“As a former undergraduate student in geography, it is my mission as a teaching assistant to adopt approaches similar to those of the TAs who have had a positive impact on my own academic journey. I aim to create an engaging learning environment where students feel motivated and comfortable approaching me with questions or concerns. It is especially meaningful to share what Geography has to offer and to help foster students’ interests through the course material. Being a TA provides me with the opportunity to learn with and from others. I am incredibly grateful to receive this award.,” explains Jaxon.
The patience, dedication and kindness these standout TAs bring to our students is paramount to positive learning experiences. Please join us in congratulating this year’s three recipients on their achievements as educators. We are grateful for the impressive teaching impacts they continue to have in our department.
