Teaching Awards

The Davis Distinguished Teaching Award

The Davis Distinguished Teaching Award is intended to recognize an undergraduate faculty member who has demonstrated a high level of excellence in the craft of teaching and thereby made a significant contribution to the pedagogical life of the university. It is awarded to a full-time faculty member who has at least three years of teaching experience at Trinity Western University who has

  • a reputation among students and colleagues for superior teaching including the ability to stimulate interest and intellectual growth and motivate students to achieve high standards;
  • continuing excellence in all areas of their teaching over a period of years;
  • successful teaching strategies, such as sensitivity to students’ varying needs and different learning styles, creation of a good learning environment, and effective communication skills;
  • made an important contribution to the pedagogical life of the university;
  • demonstrated ability to effectively integrate a Christian worldview into course material;
  • the ability to stimulate students to analyze the discipline from a Christian perspective.

Nominations can be made by faculty, academic departments, students, or alumni. The award is presented during the spring graduation ceremonies.

Previous recipients

2000 - Dr. Barbara Pesut, Department of Nursing
2002 - Dr. Craig Montgomery, Department of Chemistry
2003 - Dr. Joanne Pepper, Department of Religious Studies
2004 - Dr. Grant Havers, Department of Philosophy
2005 - Dr. Holly Nelson, Department of English
2006 - Dr. Harold Faw, Department of Psychology; Dr. Barbara Pell, Department of English
2007 - Dr. Jonathan Dawn, Department of Religious Studies
2008 - Dr. Landa Terblanche, Department of Nursing
2009 - Aaron Caleb, M.F.A., Theatre Department

The Provost's Innovative Teaching Award

The award for innovation in teaching is intended to recognize and encourage experimentation and innovation and is meant to acknowledge an undergraduate faculty member who is adapting new methods to improve his or her teaching, either through introducing a new teaching method or strategy in the classroom or developing a new type of pedagogical material. It is awarded to full-time and part-time faculty.

Nominations can be made by Faculty Deans, Department Chairs, and students. The award is presented during the spring graduation ceremonies.

Previous recipients (Award named the Deans' Innovative Teaching Award from 2000-2007)

2000 - Dr. Norman Klassen, Department of English and Dr. Jens Zimmermann, Department of English and Modern Languages
2003 - Lynn Szabo, M.A., Department of English and Bill Badke, Department of Library Services
2004 - Kimberly Franklin, Ed.D. (Cand.), School of Education
2005 - Ruth Anaya, D. Litt et Phil (Cand.), Department of Communications
2007 - Vic Cavalli, M.A., Department of English; Dr. Dennis Venema, Department of Biology
2008 - Dr. Mark McKay, School of Business
2009 - Dr. Alma Barranco-Mendoza, Department of Computing Science and Dr. Kevin Schut, Department of Communications