Brandon D. Stewart
Faculty of Law
Teaching students to think and problem-solve like lawyers
Brandon says teaching is relational and requires trust between teacher and student.
What are you doing differently in your field that you believe is driving real change?
I believe that the purpose of law school is to prepare students to be leaders in their communities and to use the law to 'do good' in whatever career path they choose. I am committed to teaching my students to think and problem solve like lawyers – critical skills that benefit students of every interest, background, and career aspiration. I am also mindful of teaching in a way that supports student wellbeing and success. I am committed to using evidence-based teaching practices to promote student autonomy and self-efficacy and create a supportive and positive active learning community.
I have integrated activities and assessments into the Torts unit to help my students build the skills necessary for success in their legal studies and careers. I am the Generative AI (genAI) Champion for my teaching teams, helping my students and colleagues navigate genAI-related challenges and opportunities in legal education and practice.
How do you help students build confidence, not just knowledge?
Teaching is relational. It requires trust between teacher and student. I teach Law units that focus on developing intellectual and practical legal skills that are unfamiliar and challenging for every student. My goal during the semester is to build trusted relationships with my students so they feel comfortable to take risks, make mistakes, learn from those mistakes, and improve. Building confidence is a process and that process starts with trust.
Teaching is relational. It requires trust between teacher and student. I teach Law units that focus on developing intellectual and practical legal skills that are unfamiliar and challenging for every student. ”
What do you hope your students remember about you 10 years from now? What mindset do you want your students to carry into their careers?
I hope my students remember me as an educator who challenged them intellectually, cared about their wellbeing and success, meaningfully listened and engaged with their ideas, and didn't forget that he was once a student (who hated studying for law exams and reading long High Court judgments) too!
I want my students to remain resilient and caring people, committed to their own set of values. These qualities will guide them well when they begin their demanding (legal) careers.
What’s the biggest myth about university education you wish more people would rethink?
That 'radical tech-based innovation' is the hallmark of teaching excellence. 'Perfection' in teaching is a lot of little things done consistently very well. In my experience, educators are more likely to have a lasting impact on their students if they engage them intellectually and provide pastoral care.