SASKATCHEWAN — Saskatchewan Polytechnic is honouring exceptional faculty members for their outstanding contributions to teaching and applied research.

As part of the convocation celebrations, Sask Polytech announced the recipients of the  Faculty Award for Excellence: Teaching and Applied Research Award of Excellence.

This year, seven faculty members have been recognized for their dedication to teaching and innovation in research. The awards acknowledge faculty members and researchers who go above and beyond in their commitment to excellence. Sask Polytech recognizes excellence in teaching in various areas, including instruction; equity, diversity and inclusion; Indigenization and reconciliation; and innovation.

Faculty Award for Excellence: Teaching 2024

Anne Robins, an instructor in Therapeutic Recreation from Saskatoon, has been awarded the Indigenization and Reconciliation in Teaching Award. Anne has incorporated the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action No. 87-91 into the therapeutic recreation course curriculum, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives are integrated into the learning experience. She also introduces students to Indigenous games and ways of knowing, sharing their history and cultural significance.

Students are taught to integrate these games and ways of knowing into their own practices.

John Hancock, who teaches Occupational Health and Safety at the Saskatoon campus, has received the Innovations in Teaching Award. Hancock has creatively incorporated video into his courses, enhancing the learning experience for his students.

Through integrating videos and using digital learning tools embedded within the Brightspace platform, Hancock helps students, regardless of their location or learning preference, to have equal opportunities to engage with course content. This approach fosters inclusivity and supports diverse student needs within the learning environment.

Renaye Zdunich, an instructor in Literacy and Adult Education from Saskatoon, has been honoured with the Teaching Excellence Award. Zdunich is recognized for her ability to inspire students and create an inclusive and engaging learning environment.

Zdunich encourages her students to look at the bigger picture when it comes to course material. She not only teaches about science, but also how science applies to our everyday life. This leads to a deeper understanding on how things work, which is more valuable than memorization.

Angela Letendre, a Business instructor at the Prince Albert campus, has been awarded the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Teaching Award. Letendre's commitment to teaching is evident through her efforts to celebrate diversity, such as organizing a Holi festival and facilitating the blanket exercise to educate students about the history of colonization in Canada. Letendre spearheaded an initiative to ensure that all students in the Office Administrative certificate program passed the typing courses, including those with disabilities preventing them from typing with their hands. She identified and implemented accommodation software that converts voice to text for these students.

Cody Peterson, a Graphic Communications instructor at the Regina campus, has been recognized with the Faculty Award for Excellence: Teaching. Peterson's outstanding contributions in instruction, assessment, and curriculum development, along with his role as the WorldSkills Graphic Design Technology Expert Lead for Team Canada, have brought a global perspective to the Graphic Communications program.

Peterson also employs a diverse range of tools to evaluate student’s work, including project-based assessments, one-on-one reviews and reflections. This approach allows for a holistic evaluation of students' skills, creativity and problem-solving abilities.

Applied Research Award of Excellence 2024

In addition to the teaching awards, Sask Polytech is also honouring two faculty members for their excellence in applied research.

Chris Thomson, Agricultural Equipment Technician program head at Saskatoon campus, is recognized for his work on a multi-faceted project to help with both the equipment used in wild rice harvesting and in training needed to maintain the specialized equipment.

Thomson, working in partnership with NWC Wild Rice Company, is designing and building a new, modular harvester boat with a more economical and easily repairable propulsion system. Thomson has engaged others from across Sask Polytech with diverse knowledge in welding, machining and manufacturing to contribute to the build. Thomson is also working with two other educational partners on providing training for the new equipment.

Linda Martin, Therapeutic Recreation program head at Saskatoon campus, is honoured for conducting a needs assessment for the delivery of recreation therapy services in schools for students with high and complex needs. This assessment focuses on students with a combination of mental health, social behavioral, trauma-based symptoms, physical, developmental and/or learning disabilities.

Her project aims to enhance the provision of recreation therapy services to better support these students within Saskatchewan's school systems.

“Student success is directly linked to the dedication of our faculty,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO.

“Our faculty works hard to ensure graduates receive the education, hands-on learning and applied research opportunities they require to succeed in their careers. Thank you to our faculty for helping inspire success in every learning journey. My heartfelt gratitude for your efforts and congratulations on your achievements."

Congratulations to this year's Faculty Award for Excellence: Teaching and Applied Research Award of Excellence recipients. Sask Polytech is grateful to have such exceptional faculty members who are not only experts in their fields but also leaders in education. Their contributions to our students and institution are truly invaluable.

— Submitted by Sask Polytech Media Relations