The Distinguished Teaching Legacy Award recognizes the UW teachers who inspired and influenced their students long after they left their classroom.
Nominators must have taken at least one class from the nominee, although consideration is also given to interactions outside of the classroom. The DTLA is part of the University’s annual Awards of Excellence celebration.
2023. John C. Berg. During his six decades at the UW, Berg has earned a reputation as one of the University’s most beloved professors. A common refrain among his students: “John is the best teacher I ever had.” He is a role model for dedication, unpretentiousness and sincerity. His teaching, mentorship and support of students is unmatched.
Past DTLA Recipients
2022. Kenneth Sirotnik. The best educators don’t just teach in the moment. Their words and discoveries sit in the minds of their students, waiting to be unpacked years or even decades later. Such was the impact of College of Education Professor Emeritus Ken Sirotnik. “Those who were committed to creating change always had a friend in Ken,” says nominator Andrew Grzadzielewski, ’05, “Especially when the going got tough. Knowing that Ken was rooting for you made a tough job a little easier.”
2021. Tony Ishisaka. He may no longer be with us, but Anthony Ishisaka’s impact on legions of UW students as well as all of Western Washington shines as bright as ever. The longtime associate professor in the School of Social Work was renowned for his love of teaching, mentoring and caring. Born at the Granada War Relocation Center in Colorado in 1944, he experienced injustice. It informed his sense of justice throughout his life and inspired him to co-found the Asian Counseling and Referral Service, the Seattle-based nonprofit that is one of the largest social-service providers for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders anywhere. To this day, his impact at the UW continues to be felt through the curriculum he created to train social workers how to respond to and interact with vulnerable populations dealing with chronic mental illness.
2020. John Keating. Even when teaching 700 students in Psychology 101, the late Jack Keating didn’t use notes. His “encyclopedic knowledge of psychology and engaging teaching style,” along with his commitment to intellectual rigor and social justice, inspired students and prepared them to turn their knowledge into action. Jack made the UW accessible and welcoming, co-chairing the committee that created the Department of American Ethnic Studies. He was instrumental in the development of UW Tacoma and UW Bothell, chairing the search for founding faculty and serving as dean of the branch campuses. The UW is recognizing him posthumously for his enduring legacy.
2018. Aurora Valentinetti. Aurora Valentinetti is undoubtedly the UW’s most beloved puppeteer, but her influence on people’s lives has extended far beyond the stage or the classroom.
2017. Bill Cole. During his 13 years on the faculty of the UW School of Music, Bill Cole had a profound impact on dozens of future music educators. But more than that, he had a lasting influence on the lives of his students no matter what field they entered.
Selection criteria
The DTLA Selection Committee meets in winter quarter to review all nominations.
Definition of a UW teacher
For purposes of the DTLA, a UW teacher is defined as a current or former UW faculty member of any rank.
Specific criteria include:
Strength of impact
How did the nominee make a profound impact on your life?
Length of impact
When did you have the nominee as a teacher?
How does the nominee’s teaching continue to influence you today?
2023. John C. Berg. During his six decades at the UW, Berg has earned a reputation as one of the University’s most beloved professors. A common refrain among his students: “John is the best teacher I ever had.” He is a role model for dedication, unpretentiousness and sincerity. His teaching, mentorship and support of students is unmatched.