Centre for Teaching Excellence

Awards and Grants
Getting Started
Certificate in University Teaching and Learning
Indigenization & Decolonization
Anti-racism
Scholarly Teaching and the  Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
Consultations
Awards & Grants

Teaching Excellence Awards

 

The Teaching Excellence Awards were created in 2018 to further Capilano University’s mandate as a teaching-focused institution, recognize outstanding faculty, and to communicate to internal and external community members the quality of educators employed at Capilano. The latter goal of quality education is a fundamental element of recruitment of students and faculty to this institution.

The Teaching Excellence Awards recognize excellence in teaching, as nominated by students. The nominations are adjudicated by committee according to the following criteria:

  • Transformation of learning;
  • Fostering a sense of learning community;
  • Supporting multiple means of engagement during in-person and remote learning;
  • Utilizing interactive teaching methods;
  • Valuing student perspectives and diverse ways of knowing and being;
  • Supporting health and wellbeing.

There are two nomination periods a year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring, with awards being announced in the Spring.

Read the full Terms of Reference here.

 

2026 Teaching Excellence Awards

As a teaching-focused university, we are truly humbled by this year’s student nominations describing the meaningful teaching & learning relationships fostered by over 120 faculty.

We are incredibly fortunate to have so many inspiring and dedicated instructors at Capilano University!

 

2026 Award Recipients

Meet CapU’s 2026 Teaching Excellence Award recipients. Read more in CapU Capsule

 

Tong Chow
Chinese

 

Faculty Quote

I facilitate stories of learning, connection, and growth, igniting a spark that brightens what is possible. 

Student Quote

Tong has made the daunting endeavor of learning Chinese a memorable and intellectually stimulating experience…looking forward to continuing learning Chinese!  

Bobbi-Lee Copeland
English

 

Faculty Quote

I gift my traditional knowledge by guiding relationships through the sharing of stories.  

Student Quote

Bobbi encourages us to share our own stories, allowing us to connect and reflect with each other. 

Sarah Hennessy
Early Childhood Care & Education

 

Faculty Quote

I mediate co-learning communities with everyone working side-by-side as both teachers and learners.  

Student Quote

Sarah treats us as whole people by trusting, respecting, and supporting the connections we make from beyond the classroom.

Sera Oh
Early Childhood Care & Education

 

Faculty Quote

I nurture supportive learning relationships by weaving the growing sense of shared responsibilities to learners’ intentional practices.   

Student Quote

Sera helps us see education as a path to building happiness, independence and responsibility. 

Shelby Page
Motion Picture Arts

 

Faculty Quote

I facilitate bridge-building practice by weaving individual passions into celebrations of collaboration.

Student Quote

Shelby makes us feel respected as individuals by offering her knowledge and experiences in a personable, kind and fun way.

Meet previous years’ recipients in CapU Capsule Stories!
2025 Recipients | 2024 Recipients | 2023 Recipients | 2022 Recipients | 2021 Recipients

Click here to see past TEA recipients.

 

Capilano University is named after Chief Joe Capilano (1854–1910), an important leader of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation of the Coast Salish Peoples. We respectfully acknowledge that our campuses are located on the unceded territories of the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), shíshálh (Sechelt), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəỷəm (Musqueam) Nations.

 

Center for Teaching Excellence | Fir Building 4th floor, FR402
Capilano University | 2055 Purcell Way | North Vancouver | BC | Canada | V5J 3H5