King's Celebrates Excellence in Teaching with 2026 Award Recipients
Congratulations to Dr. Daniella Bendo and Dr. Emily Pez, recipients of the 2026 King’s Awards of Excellence in Teaching!
At King’s, exceptional teaching is about more than sharing knowledge. It’s about fostering meaningful connections, encouraging curiosity and helping students find their voices. For both recipients, it’s also about learning from the students they teach.
Dr. Bendo, Associate Professor in the Department of Childhood and Youth Studies, is this year's full-time faculty award recipient. Dr. Pez, Lecturer in the Department of English, French, and Writing, is the part-time faculty award recipient. The annual awards recognize faculty who make an exceptional contribution to student learning through engaging instruction, mentorship, innovative teaching, and curriculum development.
For Dr. Bendo, whose teaching and research focus on children's rights, participation and advocacy, listening and learning from others are central to her approach.
"Receiving this teaching award is a meaningful milestone in my teaching journey at King's. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to teach, but even more fortunate to learn alongside the many remarkable students who come through my classroom," says Dr. Bendo. She also thanked those who nominated her and the King's community for their continued support and inspiration.
For Dr. Pez, collaboration is central to her teaching approach. She teaches Writing courses, tutors students at The Write Place and works with colleagues to develop curriculum that responds to the needs of students across disciplines.
"Teaching Writing at King’s is my dream come true as it enables me to be a part of a wonderful team that supports students’ self-empowerment and success throughout their studies and beyond," says Dr. Pez. She credits her students, colleagues and family for making the recognition possible, emphasizing that the award reflects a shared commitment to student success.
"For me, this award emphasizes the significance of this collective work of the Writing program and The Write Place at King’s," she adds.
Celebrating teaching excellence at King’s
Please join us to celebrate both recipients at the Christopher Perrin Beatty Lecture on Monday, November 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Vitali Lounge.
Dr. Bendo will deliver the lecture, "The Impact of Listening: What Children and Students Teach Us About Learning, Power and Belonging."
Dr. Pez will present "Supporting Students’ Self-Empowerment: A Collaborative Writing in the Disciplines Course Redesign at King’s University College."
Established by the Beatty family in memory of King's alumnus Christopher Perrin Beatty ’07, the annual lecture honours excellence in teaching at King's. Visit the event posting on our webpage for the full details.
Congratulations to Dr. Bendo and Dr. Pez on this well-deserved recognition, and for the care, dedication, and inspiration you bring to the King's learning community!