‘Care, creativity, commitment’: Our 2026 OISE Teaching Excellence Award winners
Each year, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education takes pride in recognizing colleagues who demonstrate exceptional commitment to student learning and success.
Since the 2004–2005 academic year, OISE’s Teaching Excellence Awards have honoured faculty and instructors who make outstanding contributions to teaching and learning. The winners are chosen by a committee of faculty, staff and students who face the challenging task of selecting the winners from a strong pool of stellar and deserving nominees.
This year – Dr. Jennifer Brant, Dr. Andrew B. Campbell, Dr. Marie Green, Assistant Professor Devon Healey, and Garth Nichols have been bestowed honours for 2026.
“This year’s recipients of OISE’s Teaching Excellence Awards have made a real difference for their students,” said Professor Creso Sá, Acting Dean of OISE. “Their care, creativity and commitment to teaching have enriched the student experience in lasting ways. I’m delighted to congratulate this year’s winners and thank them for all they continue to contribute.” |
The Dean’s Office extends special thanks to the Teaching Awards Selection Committee for their work to name this year’s recipients: Abigail Bakan, Ruth Childs, Laurie Faith, Merva Hutchinson, Fikile Nxumalo, and Jesse Sims — and to Joseph Flessa, Associate Dean, Programs, for chairing the selection process.
Below, we describe each award and its recipients. For each recipient, we asked:
- What does it mean to be recognized with this award?
- What has been crucial to your success at OISE?
- How will you pay this honour forward?
David E. Hunt Award for Excellence in Graduate Education
Winner: Dr. Jennifer Brant, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
The David E. Hunt Award for Excellence in Graduate Education was created as a tribute to Professor David Hunt on the occasion of his retirement from OISE, to honour his 50 years of university teaching, and in recognition of his exceptional contributions to graduate education. The award recognizes faculty members for sustained contributions to teaching, supervision and mentorship of students in graduate education, and inspiring students to reach excellence in scholarship and become successful professionals.
A highly regarded educational leader and member of OISE’s Indigenous faculty caucus, Professor Brant embodies the ethos of the David E. Hunt Award. Her approach to mentoring and supervision of graduate students is rigorous, relational, responsible, and deeply student-centered. In addition to offering mentorship and pathways to scholarly excellence, she also approaches her graduate students with care and compassion. Her teaching philosophy combines Indigenous cultural safety, ethical space of engagement, and holistic wellbeing.
What does it mean to be recognized with this award?
It is a deep honour to be recognized by the David E. Hunt Award for Excellence in Graduate Education. I understand that this award is presented to a faculty member who extends the kindness, generosity and care that characterized the legacy of David E. Hunt. To be recognized in such a way is truly humbling. I accept this recognition with the understanding that my scholarship as an Indigenous feminist scholar is intergenerational and follows a pathway way marked by many Indigenous women who carved out space for my work to exist in academia. This recognition demonstrates that anti-colonial and liberatory praxis is recognized as necessary, that it extends the pathway I have followed, and creates new entry points for those who will come after me. Thus, I humbly accept this award, and its recognition that academia is a space for Indigenous women, knowing that the work must continue and that there is a place for Indigenous maternal praxis in academia.
What has been crucial to your success at OISE?
OISE has gifted me with the opportunity to work with world class scholars and a stellar group students. It has also been a place for mapping constellations among Black and Indigenous Faculty and justice-oriented research Labs. The opportunity to collaborate, has also fostered an international presence for my work. Finally, my success would not be possible without the support of the Indigenous Education Network which exists as an Indigenous ‘homeplace’ at OISE supporting Indigenous Faculty and Students.
How will you pay this honour forward?
For a long time, my approach to graduate education and supervision has entailed being the kind of supervisor that I needed as a graduate student and doing so through a decolonial lens that is relational, deeply student-centered and acknowledges the heart-mind-body-spirit connections of students. I have learned that this requires me to meet students where they are at, to humbly journey alongside them, to acknowledge that learning is collaborative and synergistic. The learning exchanges with my graduate students have indeed been reciprocal, and I will pay this honour forward by serving as the kind of supervisor future students need me to be and supporting the desire-based work that aligns with their community visions. A graduate educational journey should be transformative and extend a rippling effect into the communities that inspire and welcome our work. Finally, I will continue to curate courses that are rooted in ethical relationality, liberatory praxis, and centre holistic wellbeing.
Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership
Winner: Dr. Andrew B. Campbell, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
The Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership recognizes OISE faculty members who have made sustained contributions to the advancement of teaching, broadly conceived, and to educational change and innovation within and beyond the Institute. Winners are chosen based on demonstrated ability to impact student learning by leading major initiatives that promote effective teaching, foster curricular innovation and pedagogical/professional development, shape education policy and practice, and contribute to research on teaching.
Through his leadership of the Centre for Black Studies in Education, and the Black Future Educators Pathway within the Master of Teaching program, and through his work and engagement on several institutional committees – the Black Faculty Caucus, OISE Council, and the Equity Committee – Professor Campbell constantly advocates for opportunities to support equity in education for students, faculty and staff.
A true champion for students, he is an educational leader who prioritizes knowledge sharing and community engagement with educators, school leaders, student teachers, youth and others to facilitate impactful change.
What does it mean to be recognized with this award?
For me it means to be seen. I often use the hashtag #!SEEYOU for a myriad of reasons, especially in cases where I want to let others know I value their work and worth. So for me it feels good to be seen as the individual, seen for the work I have undertaken, for the care and love for the Centre for Black Studies in Education, the Black Future Educators’ Pathway, and all other areas of development here at OISE and the wider UFT that I have committed to; and seen for the joy I bring, the force that I am and the change maker I have committed to be.
It also signals to me that I am trusted, supported, and valued HERE in the OISE community. That is a big thing for it. That knowing nurture my own belonging and propels me to Thrive.
What has been crucial to your success at OISE?
Firstly, community has been critical. The community that I have been able to create and nurture – inside and outside of OISE. The relationship I am intentional about building and nurturing. This community is with staff, faculty, MT leadership team members, BFEP students and the CBSE family.
I am big on pouring into others – and I can say that I have been pour into as well. I wish that many others would understand how important this is, especially in times like these. I get strength and grounding from my various commitment and connections within community – that is a major part of my success.
Second, mentorship and good advice has contributed. A statement I used in my book “Teachable Moments with DR. ABC” is “in all your getting – get people” I have people. People I can ask for advice, direction, support, etc. and the beautiful thing is that most of those people are right here at OISE. I must pause and say to those people “Thank you for being my people.”
How will you pay this honour forward?
I am paying it forward as we speak. That is my mandate I have given myself. I want to ensure that the doors I get to walk through remain open. I want to ensure the tables I built remain strong and additional seats are provided so that others can sit at these tables. I pay it forward by creating space and inviting others to come along. I want to be part of the change of the concept of Black folks being the first and only one. I do not wish to be the only one in anything – so playing it forward is planting and protecting the seeds so that years to come there is increase in Black representation and Black bodies here at OISE Thriving and living their best life!
Award for Excellence in Initial Teacher Education
Winner: Dr. Marie Green, Sessional Lecturer, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
The Award for Excellence in Initial Teacher Education recognizes outstanding contributions to teaching and learning in teacher education programs at OISE impacting the development of the next generation of excellent teachers. Winners are chosen based on demonstrated impact on teacher candidates, and the ability to foster enriching teaching and learning experience, as well as excellence in teaching and/or supervision in teacher education programs.
Dr. Green teaches in the Master of Teaching program (MT) where she plays a central role in preparing teacher candidates to become reflective, research-informed, and equity-oriented educators. Dr. Green also supports the Black Future Educators’ Pathway within the MT.
Dr. Green’s teaching is characterized by intellectual rigour, clarity, and deep relational care. She emphasizes the constructive engagement, inspiration, and student-centered pedagogy that fosters equitable and inclusive classroom environments where students feel acknowledged, cared for, and supported.
What does it mean to be recognized with this award?
I always say that teaching is like breathing to me. Being recognized with this award means I am making a difference by doing something I absolutely love. Coming from my students and peers, this is a strong affirmation of being present and purpose-filled. It is both humbling and encouraging, and I feel incredibly blessed to be able to teach as part of the MT program.
What has been crucial to your success at OISE?
Crucial to my success at OISE are students who are eager to learn and do their best work. I am happy to do what I can to support their journey across all the courses I teach. Additionally, for the past three years, I have been honoured to be a part of the Black Future Educators Program under the leadership of Dr. Campbell (Dr. ABC). The level of community learning, the grassroots approach, and the commitment to transforming the landscape by increasing the number of Black teachers in our guild gave me an opportunity to make a difference. It is very encouraging to do work where you can see the tangible difference you are making. I was introduced to grassroots community building in academic spaces during my own time as a PhD student. I was working on my PhD at St. Mike’s, but the community at OISE provided an additional sense of welcome and support. I could not have succeeded without the support of Dr. Dei, Dr. Lopez, and Dr. Wane. They set a really great example for me by creating community that facilitates learning. My ability to be a well-rounded instructor is greatly aided by a supportive leadership team within the CTL community. Our leadership team is made up of individuals who love teaching and love teachers, and it shows. I am so happy to be part of a team that meaningfully seeks out ways to do student-centered learning.
How will you pay this honour forward?
Dr. Dei’s mentorship, guidance, and support, the community he created through his monthly study groups was incredibly life-giving, and I am forever grateful for how that helped shape the kind of educator I became. I want to create that kind of community in my classroom and across the wider program. This year, I am serving on OISE council and am also a Faculty Advisor for practicum students. I am happy to be able to lend this additional support to our teacher candidates and overjoyed to see them in classrooms across the GTA becoming amazing teachers. I hope for further opportunities to contribute to long-term planning and implementation of some of the ideas I have for enlivening teacher formation.
Award for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching
Winner: Professor Devon Healey, Department of Social Justice Education
The Award for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching recognizes OISE’s inspiring educators who have continually demonstrated a deep commitment to excellence in teaching, and have made outstanding contributions to teaching at OISE.
Professor Healey has made outstanding contributions to teaching and to student learning and development in her department. She is described as a superb teacher who uniquely weaves together her creative critical performance work and her unique interpretive take on blindness (based on her own experience and that of other blind scholars), to choreograph a dramatic teaching experience.
As a critical disability studies scholar, Professor Healey is devoted to accessibility and to creating the conditions for students to thrive and achieve their full potential, even when they face significant barriers to access.
Her courses are consistently oversubscribed. Student response to her teaching is deeply engaged, leading to positive student experiences as expressed through high praise found in her course evaluations. Her course evaluation scores are steadily higher than both the average and mean scores for courses within the department and OISE-wide.
What does it mean to be recognized with this award?
To be recognized with this award feels deeply meaningful. I have never understood teaching as something that belongs only to me or that happens solely within the classroom, but rather as a shared and ongoing practice of thinking, feeling, questioning, and imagining together. This recognition feels like an acknowledgement of the collective work that unfolds in those spaces, work shaped by care, intrigue, and a willingness to engage differently with what we take for granted. Much of what emerges in my teaching comes from working alongside others as we explore blindness as a way of knowing and vision as culture. I receive this honour with gratitude for that shared work, and with a sense of responsibility to continue tending to it with care.
What has been crucial to your success at OISE?
What has been most crucial is the willingness of those I work alongside to engage deeply, generously, and sometimes uncomfortably with questions that do not have easy answers. A commitment to reflexivity, to slowing down and noticing how it is we have come to think, feel, and know as we do, only becomes meaningful because it is taken up with such openness and care. My teaching is shaped by critical disability studies, narrative inquiry, the arts, and my lived experience as a blind woman, but it is the relationships formed in these learning spaces that give this work its life. There is something quite powerful about being in a room where people are willing to pause, to question what feels obvious, and to stay with that uncertainty together. It is in that shared attentiveness, generosity, and intellectual courage that this work has been able to grow.
How will you pay this honour forward?
I understand this honour as an invitation to continue nurturing spaces where different ways of knowing, sensing, and being can emerge and be taken seriously. Paying this forward means remaining committed to teaching as a relational and creative practice, one that is shaped through working alongside others as, together, we develop ways of thinking, creating, and engaging the world. It also means continuing to build connections between the classroom and the broader community through collaborative and artistic work, while staying attentive to accessibility as an ongoing, shared practice of reimagining how we live and work together. In many ways, paying this forward is about staying with this collective work, listening carefully, moving thoughtfully, and continuing to learn in relation with others.
“I’m especially grateful to those who put my name forward for this award. This recognition truly reflects the work we do together, and I deeply appreciate your time, kindness, and support.”
Award for Excellence in Continuing & Professional Learning
Winner: Garth Nichols, CPL Associate, OISE Continuing and Professional Learning
Administered by the Office of Continuing and Professional Learning (CPL), the Award for Excellence in Continuing and Professional Learning recognizes course facilitators and instructors for outstanding contributions to teaching and learning in continuing and professional learning programs at OISE.
Since 2019, Nichols has contributed to OISE CPL’s Custom International Baccalaureate program facilitation and works with the CPL team to support their closed cohort programming, and the EduTour program hosting international delegation visits. He is currently the Head of School at Kingsway College School in Toronto, Ontario.
Through his strong practitioner skills, his deep commitment to practice-informed leadership, and his innovative approach to professional learning, Garth exemplifies excellence in Continuing and Professional Learning.
CPL learners have characterized Garth as an engaging faciliator whose sessions are carefully designed to move learners from awareness to application of knowledge creating a space for diverse perspectives, cross-cultural considerations, and high expectations around institutional alignment and innovation.
What does it mean to be recognized with this award?
I believe strongly in the work that this department of continuing and professional learning accomplishes through its relationships with many other organizations around the world. Being able to represent the outstanding curriculum and pedagogy of University of Toronto is truly an honor.
What has been crucial to your success at OISE?
For me it has been the relational trust that has been built through clear communication and the sincerity of the people in the department. While roles may have changed throughout my time working there, the commitment to excellence, along with flexibility has really created an environment to thrive in.
How will you pay this honour forward?
I love this question because it represents the ethos of the continuing professional learning department. I plan to pay this award forward through donating to an organization that is near and dear to my heart called Water First working with indigenous communities to educate and empower them on issues of water insecurity.