Excellence in Teaching Award
The Excellence in Teaching Award goes to an inspirational and transformational faculty member* from one of the following colleges:
- Business and Economics
- Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies
- Fine and Performing Arts
- The College of the Environment
- Woodring College of Education
*Please Note: Only Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, or Professors are eligible for this award. (Instructors, Lecturers, Senior Instructors are not eligible. Please check the staff directory for faculty titles.)
Nominations for the 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award are currently OPEN. Please use the WWU Faculty Awards form to submit a nomination by January 23, 2026.
Selection Criteria
The criteria that will be considered include:
- Inspirational/Transformational and value of learning for career/life decisions/etc.
- Vision, purpose, and intentionality for teaching
- Engagement beyond class, mentoring student (students, other faculty, etc.)
- Innovative pedagogy, continual development
- Overall awesomeness
Nominees will be asked to provide the following nomination materials in order to be considered for this award:
- CV
- Statement of Teaching (no longer than 3 pages)
- Teaching Evaluations (evaluations should be representative of courses taught in the last three years, including written student comments as well as any numerical data available.
- Course Materials, Syllabi, Exams, Etc.
- Contact info for up to 5 references familiar with nominee's teaching - including name, email address, and category (student/alumni/faculty at WWU/faculty external to WWU). Dean's office will request recommendation letters from these individuals, which will be treated as confidential and not be shown to the candidate.
- Examples of Student Work (optional)
Award/Recognition
Award Administration
The 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award will be coordinated by the College of the Environment. Please contact the College of the Environment Dean's office with any questions.
Nomination Process
2025
Debi Hanuscin - Elementary Education
Debi Hanuscin is a professor in Woodring’s Elementary Education Program and teaches in the Science, Math, & Technology Education (SMATE) Program. Her research and scholarship focuses on the teaching and learning of science, particularly teacher development and learning. She has authored several books and currently runs an active research program funded by the National Science Foundation.
In the classroom, Debi draws upon her own experiences as an elementary classroom teacher and museum educator. Her classes focus on helping students analyze how their own teachers have shaped their views of science and developing a vision for effective science education. Her own teaching models research-based approaches that promote equity, foster a sense of belonging in science, and deepen conceptual understanding. Students’ knowledge and skills are honed through authentic experiences designing and enacting instruction in collaboration with schools and informal education programs. Outside the classroom, she is faculty advisor to the WWU student chapter of the National Science Teaching Association, and she mentors undergraduate researchers.
Past Awardees
1 awardee(s) for this year
2024 Awardees
Manuel Montaño - Environmental Sciences
Manuel David Montaño is an associate professor in the Environmental Sciences Department in the College of the Environment. His research and scholarship focus is on the study of anthropogenic and geogenic nanoscale processes in the environment, and the development and application of emerging analytical methods to study these phenomena. He runs an active research program involving undergraduate and graduate researchers and has published in several environmental and analytical chemistry journals.
In the classroom, Manuel draws upon his own experiences as a first-generation student to foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment. His classes range in subjects from toxicology to water quality, emerging contaminants and environmental analysis. He encourages student success through active discussions, student-centered learning practices, and a focus on community. Students’ knowledge is then put into practice in the laboratory where they hone their skills as scientists. Outside the classroom, he takes particular pride in striving to be an effective mentor and advocate for his students, continuing a tradition of strong mentorship he was himself fortunate to receive throughout his career.