What Parents and Students Say

“Thank you Dr. Akladios for all your efforts with the kids and the Model UN experience. I just want to let you know that your presence in our kids’ lives has a tremendous impact. Very grateful that N. is getting mentorship and guidance that is shaping her in the way she is becoming to be. Lots of lawyers, politicians and public speakers will come out of PCC because of you. Thank you!” — Mrs. R.

“Dr. Akladios was not only an exceptional teacher — he was a guide who made learning feel alive. His passion for teaching shone through every lesson, and the way he shared knowledge was thoughtful, genuine, and powerful. He created a classroom where ideas came to life, where curiosity was encouraged, and where every student felt seen. His words had weight, his lessons had purpose, and the impact he left will stay with us long after the school year ends. Dr. Akladios didn’t just teach, he inspired.” — D.

“Hello Dr. Akladios! I hope you’re doing well! I wanted to thank you for your understanding and all the valuable advice you’ve given me. Your guidance has been incredibly helpful, and I truly appreciate the support you’ve provided. Thank you for everything you’ve done to help me succeed.” — A.

“Yo yo! Hey Dr. Akladios, I just wanted to say a big thank you for such an amazing semester. You’ve been such a huge help, not just in class but outside of it too. I’ll always appreciate how you bring so much heart and authenticity to what you do. You’ve been more than just a teacher—or do I say professor LOL—you’ve been a mentor and someone I’ve looked up to throughout this hard, annoying school year.” — K.

“I appreciated how understanding and approachable you are with questions. It’s very clear that you are passionate about what you’re teaching, and you are willing to put in the effort to make sure we understand the material. Also, just as a fun fact, I am not exaggerating when I tell you that this course has opened so many conversations up with other people. I work in the service industry and I often bring my schoolwork with me and more than once I’ve been working on work for this class and when I’ve told customers what the course is about they have been very intrigued and eager to tell me about their different views on the ideas of diaspora and immigration in Canada. I feel like this course has given allowed me to really use my knowledge out in the real world and gain a better understanding of immigration. Thank you”. — H.

“I graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honoured Bachelor of Arts with distinction, and I will be traveling to the London School of Economics to pursue my Master’s degree in International Relations. I want to express my sincere gratitude for your excellent teaching and generous support in my research projects and graduate school applications for the past two years, as your assistance has helped me greatly in pursuing my success and future development. I wish you and your love ones all the best! Sincerely”. — Q.

“Dr. Michael Akladios has served as a professor, advocate, and mentor in such profound ways. He exhibits a positive rapport with students, building an atmosphere of trust and openness that cultivates community and intellectual risk-taking. He utilizes a variety of approaches to encourage student collaboration, evaluation, and critical discourse. He encourages students to take an interdisciplinary approach and methodology when tackling aspects of assignments, which is always helpful. I developed critical thinking skills when taking interdisciplinary viewpoints. Dr. Akladios encouraged me to apply for MA and Doctoral fellowships. I brainstormed ideas with Dr. Akladios regarding my SSHRC application and I was successful in receiving SSHRC doctoral funding. Dr. Akladios was responsive to my learning needs and concerns. He was always accessible outside of class hours to answer questions about assignment guidelines. He is an exemplary mentor to students because he always answered his emails and was willing to discuss themes of Canadian history outside the course syllabus. I received a Bachelor, and Master’s degree and started the Ph.D. because of Dr. Akladios’ role in my learning development. His passion for teaching and supporting students inspires me to become more involved in the York University community.” — S.

“Before taking his course, I felt ambivalent about Canadian immigration. Professor Akladios successfully changed my perspective. He taught the course as a guided accompaniment to each student’s individual historical curiosity. Each student’s essay was different because the course encouraged individual investigation alongside thought-provoking lectures. I also really enjoyed the classroom discussions he facilitated. I noticed that more students than usual were comfortable participating. In fact, some of these classmates were in my other classes too, but I only heard them speak in Professor Akladios’ class. Every student, regardless of attendance or participation, was respected and valued. Finally, I must acknowledge the guidance Professor Akladios provided me after the completion of the course. I reached out to him to inquire about an essay prize. He not only encouraged me to enter but enthusiastically submitted my paper on my behalf. My paper was published in the Undergraduate History Journal, largely due to the excellent feedback I received. Professor Akladios is a top-notch historian, educator, and a really kind person.” — M.

“Despite my academic background in sociology and human geography rather than history, I received exceptional support in analyzing primary sources and developing historical perspectives. Dr. Akladios fostered an inclusive environment and encouraged independent analysis, critical thinking, and meaningful engagement with immigrant histories—especially those of women. His scaffolding approach to the research project, along with insightful feedback, allowed me to write a paper I am proud of, currently under review for publication. Outside the classroom, his guidance during office hours helped shape my research question, and even after the course ended, he continued to support me by writing a letter endorsing my paper for publication. I am immensely grateful for his ongoing support and mentorship.” — T.

“Professor Akladios would conduct primary resource analysis workshops, where he would give us students the tools to interpret archival material like a historian. This created a sophisticated and seminar-like classroom environment, which is impressive when done amongst a class of more than 50 students. Furthermore, I am relatively quiet and shy, and sometimes it is not easy to share my thoughts in lectures. Occasionally, I would email Professor Akladios my thoughts on reading materials or a lecture discussion from class. This way, I got to show my engagement with the course materials he assigned. Professor Akladios’ lectures and demonstrations were in-depth and engaging, and I felt confident in how I would go about them throughout the semester. Professor Akladios was very attentive. After every class, there would be a lineup of students, and he would speak to each of them, one at a time, with his full attention. Professor Akladios has been extending his guidance and support well after the course’s end. He has been a critical contributor to my choice to pursue a career in academia, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to take his course.” — N.

“From the moment I stepped into Professor Akladios’ classroom, I knew I was in the presence of an exceptional educator. His teaching style is a perfect blend of expertise, enthusiasm, and empathy. He possesses a remarkable ability to explain complex concepts in a clear and concise manner, ensuring that every student can comprehend and apply the material effectively. I have never encountered a professor who has improved our learning experience and made the subject matter more accessible and relatable like Professor Akladios. What truly sets him apart is his genuine care for students’ well-being and success. His approachability and willingness to provide guidance and mentorship outside of class have been invaluable to my personal and academic growth. My classmates and I always felt respected and heard, as the classroom provided a safe haven for us to share our opinions, experiences, and backgrounds. A good professor is not only someone who imparts knowledge but also someone who inspires change and fosters an environment of growth that extends beyond the classroom walls.” — F.