Excellence in teaching, commitment to learning

At Queen’s, teaching that blends expertise with care and curiosity empowers students to think critically and shape their futures with confidence, and each year, teaching awards are presented to honour the commitment and hard work of educators and staff. Now, a new grant program further supports innovative and values-driven teaching and learning practices.

At the university-wide teaching awards reception earlier this month, hosted by Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane and Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning Gavan Watson, more than thirty teaching award recipients from across campus were recognized. During the event, Principal Deane also announced that a new grant program, the Principal’s Teaching and Learning Grants, is now welcoming applications.

“Building on the success of the Principal’s Teaching and Learning Awards this new program aims to support even more innovation in teaching, especially in strategic areas,” said Principal Deane. “We encourage proposals that explore novel and equitable ways to enhance undergraduate learning and build on our momentum towards the bigger picture: our impact in society and work advancing the UN SDGs.”

Grants of $2,500 - $10,000 are available and proposals will be accepted throughout the academic year for consideration, with the first deadline being February 2, 2026. Further details and application requirements are available on the Centre for Teaching and Learning's website.

Among the awards celebrated at the reception were the Chancellor A. Charles Baillie Teaching Award coordinated by the Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning, the Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision from the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (SGSPA), award suites from the Alma Mater Society (AMS), and the Society for Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS), and the Principal’s Teaching and Learning Awards for which the nomination period for the 2025-26 awards opens later this fall.

Michelle Searle, recipient of the Chancellor A. Charles Bailey Teaching Award.

The full list of 2024-25 recipients, including all faculty and school teaching award recipients, can be found in the event’s digital program available on the Office of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor’s website.

“These awards remind us that teaching excellence is an ongoing commitment to learning itself,” said Vice-Provost Watson during the event. “Many of today’s recipients exemplify what it means to teach from evidence, to draw on research about how students learn, and to continually refine their practice. That commitment strengthens not only classrooms but the university as a whole. Congratulations to all recipients and thank you for the work you do every day in support of student learning.”

Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning Gavan Watson, who co-hosted the reception with Principal Deane.

2024-25 University-Wide Teaching Awards:

Chancellor A. Charles Baillie Teaching Award
Michelle Searle, Faculty of Education

SGSPA Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision
Kai Salomaa, School of Computing
Susanne Soederberg, Department of Global Development Studies

AMS Frank Knox Award for Excellence in Teaching
Fall: Michele Morningstar, Department of Psychology
Winter: Kevin De France, Department of Chemical Engineering

AMS Christopher Knapper Award
Fall: Bailey Milne, Faculty of Health Sciences
Winter: Alexandra McDonald, Faculty of Health Sciences

AMS Undergraduate Research Mentorship Award
Fall: Ting Hu, School of Computing
Winter: Charlotte Gibson, Department of Mining Engineering

SGPS International Student Leader Award
Kavya Harshitha Jidugu, Faculty of Education

SGPS International Student Scholarship Award
Kavya Harshitha Jidugu, Faculty of Education

SGPS John G. Freeman Faculty Excellence Award
Eugene Lang, School of Policy Studies

SGPS Teaching Assistant/Teaching Fellow Excellence Award
Allen Tian, Department of Biology

SGPS Staff Excellence Award
Patricia Oprea, Department of Chemistry

SGPS Student Contribution Award
Rahma Osman, Queen's Health Sciences

Principal’s Alumni Award for Engaging Students as Partners in Learning in partnership with the Queen’s University Alumni Association
Monakshi Sawhney, School of Nursing
Sara Nabil, School of Computing

Sara Nabil (right), a recipient of the Principal's Alumni Award for Engaging Students as Partners in Learning.

Principal’s Indigenous Education Award in partnership with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives
Petra Fachinger, Department of English, Literature, and Creative Writing

Principal’s Educational Technology Award in partnership with Information Technology Services
Geof Hall, School of Environmental Studies

Geof Hall (centre), recipient of the Principal's Educational Technology Award.

Principal’s Educational Leadership Award in partnership with the Centre for Teaching and Learning
Kathleen Norman, School of Rehabilitation Therapy
Allen Tian, Department of Biology

Principal's Globally Engaged Education Innovation Award in partnership with the Vice Provost, Global Engagement
Jennifer Carpenter, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine
Queen's School of English Team for their English for Beginners - Steven McWilliams and Amie Pilgrim

Principal’s Promoting Student Inquiry Teaching Award in partnership with Queen's Library
Leslie Ritchie, Department of English, Literature, and Creative Writing

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