Students' innovative teaching award for family lawyer

A family lawyer who has been an associate lecturer at Plymouth University since 2011 has won a Students’ Union Award for her teaching in the category of ‘Most Innovative Use of Teaching Methods’.

Rachel Cook, a consultant with Michelmores Solicitors, won the University’s Student and Staff Teaching and Representation (SSTAR) award after students recognised that no two lectures delivered by the family law expert were ever the same, but were always fun.

Rachel Cook said: “Family issues such as adoption, surrogacy and fertility law are very serious matters but sometimes a point can be made using humour or alternative techniques to make it memorable. My aim was to make my sessions interactive and I kept changing things around.”

Steph Driscoll, Vice President Education and Welfare at Plymouth University Student Union, added: “The SSTAR awards are organised by students with the support of the Students’ Union to reward the many excellent University staff members and dedicated course representatives we have. In winning this award, Rachel is regarded as making an outstanding impression on the students’ university experience.”

Rachel Cook has used a wonderful mix of teaching aids including PowerPoint presentations, workshop case scenarios, DVD, the BBC Panorama programme on Baby P, written and interactive quizzes, names in a hat, team tests and even sweets.

She is a nationally elected member of the British Association of Adoption and Fostering Legal Group Advisory Committee. She is also an Independent Chair of an Adoption Panel for a Local Authority Adoption Agency and widely regarded by the main legal directories as a recognized authority leader in her field.