About the award

The University of Saskatchewan Distinguished Teacher Award is the highest honor for teaching excellence at USask.

This prestigious award recognizes faculty members who make outstanding contributions to the learning and working environments at the university. It celebrates those who excel in their profession, demonstrating exceptional teaching practices, continuous professional growth, and impactful leadership. This award underscores the importance of good teaching and its profound impact on student learning and the broader educational community.

Nomination deadline

Nomination packages must be submitted by February 15, and August 15, each year for the Spring and Fall USask Distinguished Teacher Awards. Submit by email:  awards_gmctl@usask.ca

Eligibility

The USask Distinguished Teacher Award, awarded twice annually at spring and fall convocations, represents the highest level of recognition for teaching excellence at the University of Saskatchewan. It is open to all faculty members at USask, including Lecturers and Instructors without term, faculty who teach only graduate students, and medical faculty. 

Evidence of excellence in teaching should be gathered over at least five years, whether at USask or elsewhere. If any part of the evidence comes from other institutions, please contextualize it within USask to help the selection committee understand its relevance. For example, teaching awards received elsewhere should be clearly described in relation to similar local USask teaching awards. Excellence in teaching is demonstrated by exceptional and sustained performance, assessed based on four criteria. 

Award Criteria

In evaluating nominations, each criterion is equally important, and nominees are encouraged to present strong evidence across all four criteria to showcase their holistic contributions. 

 Criterion #1: Teaching Philosophy Statement 

Criterion #2: Evidence of Teaching Excellence 

Criterion #3: Continuous Improvement and Professional Growth 

Criterion #4: Exemplify Leadership

Committee Terms of Reference

Nominations are reviewed by the USask Distinguished Teacher Award Committee, which works to ensure the transparency and integrity of the USask Distinguished Teacher Award selection process.

  • No more than the ten most recent USask Distinguished Teachers (or formerly awarded USask Master Teacher), one of whom will be the chair.
  • Chair will be elected by the committee.
  • Chair will sit for a two year term.
  • Interim Associate Provost, Teaching Innovation & Strategic Initiatives
  • Resource and administrative support (Non-voting)


USask Distinguished Teacher Award Committee Members 2025

  • Brandy Mackintosh - Edwards
  • Greg Malin, Medicine
  • Neil Chilton - Arts and Science
  • Soo Kim - School of Rehabilitation Science
  • David Sumner - Engineering
  • Lee Swanson - Edwards (Chair 2024-2026)
  • Loleen Berdahl - JSGS
  • Tom Yates - AgBio
  • Vince Bruni-Bossio - Edwards
  • Hayley Hesseln - AgBio 
  • Nancy Turner - Provost's Representative
  • Sara Dzaman - Committee Coordinator

The USask Distinguished Teacher Award Committee is responsible for:

  1. Setting the process for communicating nomination deadlines and award criteria to the campus community
  2. Setting the process for collecting and storing nominations, to be implemented by the GMCTL
  3. Selecting the Spring and Fall USask Distinguished Teachers
  4. Periodically reviewing award criteria, submission format, and connection of USask Distinguished Teacher Award to other internal and external teaching awards to ensure its ongoing relevance and sustainability
  5. Identifying and reaching out to potential USask Distinguished Teacher Award nominees and nominators

Get Support

For information or support with teaching awards, connect with the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning.