Faculty of Law announces 2025 teaching excellence winners

The Faculty of Law is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024-2025 Teaching Excellence Awards: Professor Jassmine Girgis and sessional instructor Jonathan Griffith. 

“These prestigious awards are in recognition of Jassmine’s and Jonathan’s outstanding contributions to teaching and student success at UCalgary Law,” said Dean Evaristus Oshionebo. “The awards highlight their unwavering dedication, creativity in the classroom, and commitment to excellence in legal education.”

Howard Tidswell Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence: Jassmine Girgis

The Howard Tidswell Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence is awarded annually to an instructor at the law school who demonstrates outstanding teaching performance, methodology, and contribution to the curriculum. Nominations are submitted by students and faculty members.

“I want to inspire students to be curious about the law,” said Girgis. “My favourite part of teaching is meeting students who really want to learn. Being in a classroom with curious students inspires and motivates me to think of new and creative ways to convey how the law works. I’m honoured to receive this award and particularly that my students felt I was deserving of it.”

Sessional Instructor Teaching Award: Jonathan Griffith 

Established in 2021, the Sessional Instructor Teaching Award honours a sessional instructor who demonstrates excellence in teaching, thoughtful curriculum contributions, and creativity in course design or delivery.

“Our law students engage with their studies with enthusiastic passion, a commitment to community, and with the values that underpin our justice system in their hearts.  What a privilege to have the opportunity to be a part of that education,” Griffith said. “It brings me immense satisfaction to know that our students have found some value in my contribution to their journey into the legal world.  As much as this award reflects that contribution, it equally marks the enrichment, reward, and joy I’ve received from our students be it during class, mentorship meetings, or even just from watching their careers unfold post-graduation.”