‘A good teacher always has multiple ways to explain the same concept’
Assistant professor Joost Willemse firmly believes that as a teacher, you’re never done learning. ‘Students ask questions about things you’ve never thought of yourself. Ultimately, that makes you better at your job.’ That’s why he always encourages his students to ask questions. And it’s appreciated: Joost has been nominated by his students for the Leiden Science Teacher Award 2024.
What kind of student were you?
‘At first, I wasn’t quite sure where my interests lay. I knew I was drawn to the sciences, but within that field, I had no idea. That’s why I chose Molecular Sciences in Wageningen—a broad programme. I understood the material well, but rote learning was, and still is, not my strong suit. During my internships, I discovered microscopy. Very quickly, I realised I had a talent for it and really enjoyed it. After my internships, I continued working in the same lab and eventually completed my PhD there in microscopy.’
Who was your favourite teacher, and why?
‘Two teachers have been a huge source of inspiration for me. The first was my high school biology teacher, Mr. Scheurkogel. Beyond the usual curriculum, he always made time for a personal chat, and that connection has always stuck with me.
‘When there’s an open atmosphere, everyone feels free to ask questions.’
At university, I had the best connection with Henk Franssen. He had a wonderful way of combining teaching with engaging with scientific articles. His classes were definitely not the easiest, but you learned so much from them. You could always approach him to talk and discuss ideas after class as well.’
‘That openness is something I’ve taken from both teachers and incorporated into my own lectures. When there’s space for open conversation, people feel free to ask questions. No barriers between teacher and student—that’s key.’
What’s the most important lesson you want your students to learn?
‘Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification: if something isn’t clear, a good teacher will always have multiple ways to explain the same concept. That often helps to understand topics better.’
What do you learn from teaching and your students?
‘That you’re never done learning. There will always be students who ask questions you haven’t thought about before or approach a problem in a different way. Looking into these questions ultimately makes you better at what you do.’
Over Joost Willemse
Education: Biology
Teaching: Microscopy & Imaging (BSc Biology), Advanced Cell Biology (MSc Biology), PhD course on Microscopy, and Data Management and Analysis.
Research: Investigating the development of the multicellular bacterium Streptomyces to discover how to influence cell division for maximum antibiotic production.
Other roles: Facility Manager of the Cell Observatory and Chair of the Biology Education Committee (BSc and MSc).
What does it take to succeed in your course?
‘For Microscopy and Imaging, it’s really important to attend the lab practicals and work through the practice questions. The course is structured so you first get an explanation during lectures, then apply and deepen that knowledge in the practicals. Afterwards, you get a set of questions to check if you’ve really understood the material. If you follow this process, the course is very doable. Oh, and last but not least, don’t forget to sing along loudly to our “Microscopy Song”!’
What has been your most memorable teaching moment?
‘That would be during the COVID-19 pandemic. For years, we’d run a practical in Physics about the properties of light, but it couldn’t go ahead due to limited capacity and space. Instead, I created take-home experiment kits for all students, which they could pick up at the reception. With these kits, they could explore the properties of light from home. Setting up that practical, testing it out with my then-seven-year-old son, and seeing the enthusiastic responses from students afterward was truly a special moment.’
If you had to choose: research or training?
‘That’s a tough choice. I love teaching because of the interaction with students and the opportunity to help them learn. But I also enjoy the creative side of research—constantly coming up with solutions for the things you want to measure. If I really had to choose, I’d pick teaching, because you still get to do some research while supervising internships and similar projects.’