Jaye Fredrickson Award for Teaching Excellence

The Jaye Fredrickson Award for Teaching Excellence is the highest teaching award offered at NorQuest College. The peer-nominated award upholds our mission and values by honouring teaching excellence.

Award recipients must demonstrate a record of professional competence in teaching exemplified by:

• engaging learners through exemplary facilitation
• supporting learners through advocacy
• using innovative pedagogical approaches
• developing learning-centred curriculum materials
• employing fair evaluation
• demonstrating scholarship

Named for NorQuest College’s former Vice President, Academic, the Jaye Fredrickson Award for Teaching Excellence was established to honour the legacy of teaching excellence that Fredrickson inspired. It honours an individual who engages learners through exemplary facilitation, supports them through advocacy and utilizes innovative approaches to education.

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2025 recipient: Alexandru (Alex) Caldararu

Alexandru (Alex) Caldararu is Associate Chair, Instructor, and founder of the Settlement Studies Diploma at NorQuest College. Originally from Romania, Alex brings lived experience to a career dedicated to advancing socioeconomic equity and supporting newcomers to Canada. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and a Master of Education in Adult, Community and Higher Education from the University of Alberta.  

A respected leader among his peers, Alex has served as Vice-President and President of the NorQuest College Faculty Association and as Vice-President (Internal) of the Alberta Colleges and Institutes Faculties Association. He is passionate about examining the evolving landscape of postsecondary and non-profit sectors. 

The Jaye Fredrickson Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes Alex’s long-time commitment to student learning, innovative practices, and academic excellence. 

Outside the classroom, Alex is a devoted husband and father of two, often found on the sidelines of youth soccer games or exploring the outdoors on family camping adventures. 

2025 recipient: Sherry Duncan

Sherry Duncan is a respected educator and leader dedicated to strengthening early childhood communities through heart, humour, and a commitment to relational learning. An Instructor in NorQuest’s Early Learning and Childcare program, Sherry brings both practical experience and values-based leadership to her work. She is widely recognized for her ability to build meaningful connections with educators, fostering environments where individuals feel inspired to grow. 

Her approach is rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being, with a focus on relationships, storytelling, and honouring the strengths of children, families, and educators. Whether in class with her students, facilitating professional learning, mentoring colleagues, or speaking at events, Sherry has a gift for making education accessible and impactful. 

The Jaye Frederickson Award for Teaching Excellence acknowledges her exceptional contributions to learning and purposeful approach to professional growth. 

Sherry leads with both compassion and clarity, championing the belief that thriving environments for children begin with strong, empowered educators.