Beacon College anthrozoology instructor Brian Ogle was named 2016 Humane Educator of the Year by the animal-rights advocacy group Animalearn.
The award salutes Ogle, who pilots the anthrozoology program at Beacon College — the first higher education institution accredited to award bachelor’s degrees to students who learn differently, and only the second U.S. undergraduate school to feature anthrozoology as a major — for his commitment to employing instructional methods that replace dissection and connect students to animals through personal experiences.
More than 75 percent of American adults agree students should be able to opt out of animal dissection in science courses, according to a recent survey conducted by Faunalytics, formerly the Humane Research Council.
“This year we selected Brian Ogle because he advocates on behalf of alternatives to dissection in his own courses and proudly offered his perspective in a recent publication of our parent organization … highlighting humane science,” said Nicole Green, director of the Jenkintown, Penn. group.
Animalearn — the educational division of the American Anti-Vivisection Society that advocates using alternative humane tools apart from dissection to deliver students quality humane science education — nominates its Humane Educator candidates internally. The group judges nominees on the strength of the candidate’s commitment and advocacy on behalf of animals used in education during the year.
Ogle, who sits on the board of directors of the Association of Professional Humane Educators, in a press release, said, “I am very honored to be recognized by this terrific organization. It can be difficult for educators to move beyond traditional, and often times stereotyped, practices in life science education. However, this award helps to demonstrate and bring awareness that you can provide students with authentic learning experiences while increasing learning gains and confidence in science ….”
The Animalearn award includes a $1,000 donation of dissection alternatives such as digital tools and physical models, as well as dissectible animal models for the college.