Every year, students share the meaningful teaching and learning relationships that have supported their growth by nominating CapU faculty for the Teaching Excellence Award. This year over 120 faculty members were honoured by students who shared truly humbling descriptions of the influence our work as teachers have offered on their respective learning journeys. All the nominations received this year share a common thread that weaves together the teaching and learning experience at CapU: teaching practices that attune to relationships and connections between teachers and students.
In a recent article published by Karen Gravett, our Symposium 2026 Keynote Speaker, they describe these intentional teaching practices as relationality and relational practices that include working with students in partnership, developing trust and belonging, and the development of meaningful teacher-student and peer-peer relationships (2026, 1-2).
We are honoured to recognize the 2026 Teaching Excellence Award Recipients as individuals who embody these practices in the relationships they foster with CapU students.
Tong Chow teaches Chinese in the School of Humanities, and their students shared how “Tong has made the daunting endeavor of learning Chinese a memorable and intellectually stimulating experience…looking forward to continuing learning Chinese!”
Bobbi-Lee Copeland teaches English in the School of Humanities, and their students shared how “Bobbi encourages us to share our own stories, allowing us to connect and reflect with each other.”
Sarah Hennessy teaches Early Childhood Care & Education in the School of Education & Childhood Studies, and their students shared how “Sarah treats us as whole people by trusting, respecting, and supporting the connections we make from beyond the classroom.”
Sera Oh teaches Early Childhood Care & Education in the School of Education & Childhood Studies, and their students shared how “Sera helps us see education as a path to building happiness, independence and responsibility.”
Shelby Page teaches Costuming for Stage and Screen in the School of Motion Picture Arts, and their students shared how “Shelby makes us feel respected as individuals by offering her knowledge and experiences in a personable, kind and fun way.”
The upcoming CapU Teaching & Learning Symposium will be an opportunity for our faculty community to gather, celebrate, and share, all our relational pedagogies that support the student learning journey. At the TEA Recipients’ Dialogue (Thurs, April 30, 3:00-3:45 pm, LB 322), the TEA 2026 Recipients will support our reflection about what these practices can look like at CapU.
Register Now and review the Program details on the Symposium website.
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