Biology Professor David Colatriano is the 2025 recipient of the College’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Since joining Marianopolis in 2019, Professor Colatriano has been actively involved in several initiatives beyond the classroom, including organizing a scientific and literary trip to Churchill, Manitoba, peer mentoring his fellow teachers, and supporting the revision of the Arts and Sciences program. He is currently co-conducting a research project on teaching and evaluating team work at the college level, with funding from Entente Canada-Québec. Professor Colatriano is recognized by students not only as an enthusiastic teacher, but one whose office is a safe space where students can come to talk, whether they need guidance on course material or just someone to listen to their concerns.

Fine Arts and Humanities Professor Selena Liss was the recipient of the 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award. Students and colleagues who nominated her for the award highlighted her involvement in multiple spheres of college life over the last two decades at Marianopolis, including her role in organizing the annual Arts Fest, leading international excursions, and serving on multiple committees. Professor Liss’ ability to develop approaches that immerse students in the cultural milieus they encounter in the classroom, combined with her unique mix of humour, creativity and compassion, creates vibrant learning environments in her courses.

Mathematics Professor Christopher Turner was the recipient of the 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award. Since joining the College in 2006, Professor Turner has provided students with a supportive and engaging learning environment to explore complex mathematical concepts. His ability to connect mathematics to real world scenarios and infuse humour into the subject matter has helped countless students discover their academic interests and career pathways. Professor Turner’s capacity to assess student needs, provide personalized support and identify valuable learning opportunities have been crucial resources for his colleagues, notably during his time as faculty lead for the development of the College’s revised Science program.

Mathematics Professor Alain Léger was the recipient of the 2022 Excellence in Teaching Award. During his more than 25 years at the College, Professor Léger’s passion for teaching has inspired generations of students to love math. He is renowned among students and graduates for his ability to humanize his subject matter and to connect with each and every learner through empathy, patience and, most memorably, humour. Professor Léger is recognized by his colleagues as a model educator and a supportive mentor to younger faculty, whose genuine care for students and involvement in departmental activities has left an indelible mark on Marianopolis.

English Professor Andrew Burton was the recipient of the 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award. Since joining the College in 2010, he has researched, implemented and demystified Universal Design for Learning, a pedagogical framework that helps teachers more effectively respond to students’ diverse learning styles.  He has also supported the professional development of his fellow faculty members by fostering peer observation, which consists of teachers observing each other in their classrooms, and by designing a peer mentorship program in which he served as a mentor.

History Professor Kareen Latour was the recipient of the 2019 Excellence in Teaching Award. Since she began teaching at the College in 2004, Professor Latour has embodied the institution’s academic mission, encouraging her students to “pursue academic excellence, become self-directed lifelong learners and make positive contributions to their communities and the world.” Her enthusiasm and dedication for fostering global citizenship in her students is exemplified in her longtime mentorship of the award-winning Marianopolis Model United Nations Team.

Mathematics Professor Tamara Zakon became the first recipient of the Marianopolis Excellence in Teaching Award at her retirement in 2018, after nearly 50 years of teaching at the College. Professor Zakon was one of the stalwart teachers who over the decades helped shape Marianopolis into the institution that it is today. One of only four women in her graduating class at Harvard University, she went on to nurture generations of students, hire and mentor dozens of young teachers and serve diligently on various administrative and governing bodies of the College.