Professor Brenda Lee (Department of Physics and Astronomy) has been selected as the first recipient of the University of Waterloo’s Accessible Teaching Award.
Created in 2025 by the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academic in collaboration with the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, the Accessible Teaching Award recognizes instructors who advance accessible and inclusive teaching through thoughtful course design and delivery. The award includes recognition at the Spring 2027 Celebration of Teaching Excellence and Innovation ceremony and funds to support the recipient's teaching activities.
Lee’s selection by the award adjudication committee reflects her students’ recognition of the ways she makes learning materials, course information, and assessment opportunities accessible to a wide range of learners. Several students nominated Lee for the award, highlighting her organized course sites, flexible approaches, and attention to students’ diverse learning needs:
“Professor Lee helped our course be highly accessible. She always has the assignments available in multiple formats (html, ipynb) and had multiple ways to communicate with us… Professor Lee is very understanding of our lives as a student.”
Another student highlighted Lee’s approach to organizing course materials:
“Brenda has by far the most well-organized Learn sites out of any professor I have had. Making it easy for every student to access what they need the most on the course site.”
Students also noted Lee’s flexibility around assessment and deadlines, including opportunities for students to choose topics and activities that aligned with their interests and schedules.
“Brenda was very respectful of her students' time and understanding with due dates... She also gave lots of choices when it came to the assignment, allowing us to pick our own topics that really interest us.”
The Accessible Teaching Award reflects Waterloo’s commitment to creating learning environments where students can meaningfully participate and access the resources and opportunities they need to support their learning.
Waterloo instructors are encouraged to explore Waterloo’s Accessible Teaching website for resources, guidance, and supports to help incorporate accessible teaching practices into their courses.
Nominate an instructor for the 2026 Accessible Teaching Award
The AVPA Office is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Accessible Teaching Award. Undergraduate students are invited to recognize an instructor whose teaching demonstrates a commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2027. Submit a nomination through the 2026 Accessible Teaching Award Nomination Form.