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Congratulations 
2025 ACIFA Award Winners

SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING AND LEARNING AWARD

A Scholarship of Teaching and Learning research project involves talking a systematic look at some educational practice and recording what was done and why, collecting and analyzing data, and reflecting on how the results might influence teaching endeavors

  • Allison Fieldberg

  • Jeff Kuntz

  • Julia Szweda

  • Janelle Therien

  • Soifa Sanche

(honorary recognition, non-ACIFA member)

NorQuest College

Dr. Allison Fieldberg (she/her) is passionate about creating safe and respectful classrooms, designing authentic assessments, and building learner strength in reading and writing. Allison holds a Ph.D. in English and has over 20 years of teaching and curriculum development experience.

Dr. Jeff Kuntz is an Educational Developer and holds a Ph.D. in Secondary Education. Jeff is involved in the design and roll-out of a college-wide Applied Research Initiative and has recently completed an international project in Kenya focusing on Competency Based Assessment.  

Dr. Julia Szweda is a NorQuest educator and researcher who implements the principles of authentic assessment, experiential learning, and community-based research in her work

Janelle Therien has been an educator for 12 years. Her passions lie primarily with supporting barriered learners in accessing and navigating higher education and in breaking down those barriers from the other side.

Jennifer Usher works as program coordinator and instructor for the Early Learning and Child Care program at Medicine Hat College. In 2021, Jennifer graduated from the University of Alberta with her Masters of Elementary Education with an early learning focus. For two years, she participated in a pan-Canadian Outdoor Pedagogy Early Childhood Education Faculty Research Project. Experiences in this project shifted her perspective greatly, allowing her to understand the positive impact the outdoors has on learners. Jennifer hopes to inspire others to cultivate outdoor pedagogy in their post-secondary teaching and learning. 

INNOVATION IN TEACHING AWARD

The aim of the Award for Innovation in Teaching is to recognize and encourage the use of innovative and creative teaching methods and design. 

Jennifer Usher

Medicine Hat College

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DISTINGUISHED INSTRUCTOR AWARD

Established in 2016, this award aims to recognize teachers who exhibit commitment to teaching, learners, and learning through a variety of measures.

Jacqueline Lubemsky

Portage College

Bio 

Coming Soon!

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