GVSU Education Programs News
Teacher Education faculty honored for excellence in advising and teaching
February 25, 2026
At the annual Faculty Awards Convocation held Tuesday, February 10 in Loosemore Auditorium on the City Campus, two Teacher Education faculty members were recognized for their exceptional commitment to students, colleagues, and the teaching profession. Grand Valley State University honored Jennifer DeWaard, Assistant Professor of Teaching and Learning, with the Outstanding Advising and Student Services Award, and Lindsay Stoetzel, Assistant Professor of Literacy, Educational Foundations and Technology, with the Pew Teaching Excellence Award.
For DeWaard, the recognition was especially meaningful because it came from her peers. “Professionally, I was a little surprised at how much I appreciated the recognition directly from colleagues,” she shared. “Being described as the ‘go-to’ expert for academic policies and programmatic procedures and also as a mentor for Teaching & Learning faculty and staff was an incredibly meaningful compliment. Collaboration with my colleagues is an essential part of what success means to me.”
Her advising work is grounded in a developmental approach that prioritizes student growth and partnership. DeWaard views each interaction as an opportunity to help teacher candidates clarify academic goals, explore careers in special education, and reflect on their progress. As Michigan’s certification structure evolves, she has helped students navigate program changes with empathy and creativity while maintaining academic integrity. “Using this advising approach allows me to maintain academic integrity and student success in the face of new challenges,” she explained.
Some of her most meaningful moments come at Commencement. “I love attending Fall and Winter Commencement,” DeWaard said. “Having a front-row seat to watch our students walk across the stage and into their first roles serving students with disabilities is inspiring and a true celebration every year.” She has also played a key role in supporting students through transitions to new certification-aligned programs, advising non-traditional cohorts in innovative partnerships like the West Michigan Teacher Collaborative, and helping administer the Robert Nelson Foundation Fellowship, which awards $10,000 annually to special education candidates. “Being a part of the work to directly fund students with money from generous private donors honors their hard work and our very profession,” she said.
Stoetzel echoed similar gratitude for the opportunity to support future educators. “I am very grateful to have received this award as a formal recognition of my commitment to supporting preservice and practicing teachers,” she said. “Being nominated and selected by my colleagues—who I hold in such high esteem—reinforces that my impact is seen and valued by others in our profession.”
Her teaching approach blends thoughtful instructional design with a willingness to innovate. “On one hand, I have a strong instructional design background, which allows me to be very intentional in the structure and coherence of my courses,” she explained. “On the other hand, I’m willing to take risks in the classroom and embrace new approaches, often co-learning and co-designing with my students.” By modeling vulnerability and transparency in her instructional decisions, Stoetzel creates learning environments where students understand both the purpose and the process behind their work. “It’s the combination of bringing thoughtful planning to carry out creative designs that allows my teaching to continually evolve,” she said. “That balance helps students—and me—to stretch ourselves without feeling overwhelmed.”
For Stoetzel, the heart of the profession lies in relationships. “The relationships I build with students—especially when they share about their own growth working with children in the field,” she said, are what makes the work most rewarding. A Grand Valley graduate herself; she has long felt called to teaching. “I have wanted to be a teacher since I was four years old,” she reflected. “As much as I loved working with K–12 students, I felt I could make a bigger impact by working with teachers.”
Together, DeWaard and Stoetzel exemplify the university’s commitment to student-centered advising, innovative teaching, and preparing the next generation of educators to serve schools and communities across Michigan and beyond.