Katie Eklund, a professor in the School of Education’s Department of Educational Psychology, is among the UW–Madison faculty members chosen this year to receive Distinguished Teaching Awards, an honor given out since 1953 to recognize some of the university’s finest educators.
A ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. April 15 in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union to honor the recipients. Campus and community members are invited to attend; RSVP by March 25.
Eklund, whose teaching centers on preparing students to become effective school psychologists and mental health professionals, is being honored with a Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award. This award, established by former UW–Madison Chancellor Edwin Young in 1973, honors five faculty members each year for their excellence in teaching.
Instead of focusing solely on finding the “right” answer, Eklund helps her students develop the tools they need to make ethical, informed decisions in complex, real-world situations. Drawing on her professional background as a licensed psychologist and school mental health provider, she bridges theory and practice by using real-life examples and case studies to bring abstract concepts to life. Her classes are collaborative and engaging — students work together to navigate hypothetical scenarios, analyze case studies, and solve ethical dilemmas, all while learning to apply evidence-based practices in diverse school settings.
“(Eklund’s) excitement and enthusiasm for the field of school psychology promote excitement in students and lead students to a deep commitment to advocating for school-age student needs,” says colleague Jennifer Asmus, a professor in the Department of Educational Psychology.
Read about all of UW–Madison’s 2025 Distinguished Teaching Award recipients.