Diana Cooper-Clark (School of Arts and Letters, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies, and Division of Humanities, Faculty of Arts) was awarded a 2000 3M Teaching Fellowship for her contributions to university teaching and learning. This prestigious award is given to individuals who not only excel in the teaching of their own courses, but who also demonstrate an exceptionally high degree of leadership and commitment to the improvement of university teaching across the disciplines. Diana is one of ten recipients selected from 52 nominations from 26 Canadian universities. Each receives a citation of excellence and is honoured at a three-day retreat at Chateau Montebello in Quebec in November. She is the seventh faculty member from York to receive a 3M Teaching Fellowship; she shares the honour with Linda Briskin (1999), Avi Cohen (1995), Brock Fenton (1993), Arthur Haberman (1996), Pat Rogers (1990), and Ron Sheese (1986). Below are highlights of the citation that accompanied Diana's award:

Diana Cooper-Clark's pedagogical initiatives and passion for teaching and learning span 31 years. She is a superb, energetic teacher who lectures with style and verve. She is humorous and confident and inspires students to challenge themselves to achieve. Diana has taught both in the Faculty of Arts and at Atkinson College. Her courses include large lectures and seminars, as well as one-on-one tutoring. The Career Days she initiated for students in the English Department have been a great success in highlighting for students and faculty the importance of the study of English. She has won several teaching awards, including the Division of Humanities Teaching Award, the York University-Wide Teaching award for contract faculty, and the CASE Canadian Professor of the Year Award.

As Chair of the English Department at Atkinson College, she has revised the curriculum, assisted in its transformation into the School of Arts and Letters, initiated a major student/faculty exchange between York and the University of Cassino, Italy, and is leading faculty in the development of distance and Internet teaching. She is devoted to junior, contract faculty and teaching assistants and offers practical, intellectual and emotional support. She generously shares her knowledge and experience and routinely makes herself available for consultation. Diana has served on the Advisory Board of the Centre for the Support of Teaching, and was also a member of the Teaching Committee in the Division of Humanities, serving as its chair in 1993-94. She also provides workshops and seminars on undergraduate teaching for York's Colleges. Outside the University, she works with the Toronto and North York Boards of Education, lectures and provides direction for community reading groups affiliated with the National Council of Jewish Women, and has influenced pedagogy across the United States and Canada, as well as abroad. Diana has published two books, a range of articles and is a frequent presenter at conferences.