Shawn Datchuk, assistant professor in special education, and Ain Grooms, assistant professor in educational leadership, were honored with the 2019-2020 Collegiate Teaching Awards. 

Datchuk joined the College of Education in August 2015 and Grooms joined the college in August 2016.

The award is the college’s highest distinction. Honorees are nominated by students and faculty for their excellence in teaching. The award was based on the 2016-2017, 2017-2018, and 2018-2019 academic years.

Datchuk was nominated for the individualized support and mentorship he provided his students throughout their time at the College of Education, during their job search, and throughout their careers. 

"Shawn has been a constant supporter while I went through graduate school, student teaching, my job search, and my current teaching position in K-12 special education. He is a person I know I can always look to for advice and has been an incredible mentor," says one of Datchuk's nominators.

Grooms was nominated for her efforts to support and mentor women of color in academia and her dedication and passion for teaching and education. 

"Apart from being supportive and serving as a mentor, Dr. Grooms is also a role model to other young women of color in academia...Her leadership as a teacher; her dedication to teaching and mentoring; her passion and love for education and treating students as a whole person is only a glimpse of what she does every day," says one of Grooms' nominators.