Throughout his academic journey, Wahid Khan, York University course director and PhD student has worked to ensure students from diverse backgrounds see themselves reflected in physical and health education.
His commitment to equitable and culturally responsive teaching and learning – a defining focus of his work as course director and instructor at the Faculty of Education – has earned him national honour as a recipient of the 2026 PHE Canada Impact Award.
"It's deeply humbling," says Khan, who is pursuing a PhD at the Faculty of Health. "I see this award as a recognition of the students, families, teacher candidates and communities who have shaped my thinking, and as an affirmation that equity and diversity belong at the centre of physical and health education, not at its margins."
The national award follows Khan’s receipt of York University’s 2026 President's University-Wide Teaching Award, underscoring the impact of his teaching, curriculum development and advocacy both at York and beyond.
At York, Khan works to advance inclusive and culturally responsive practice in education. His approach is informed by years of experience as an elementary and secondary educator and, more recently, as a course director preparing the next generation of teachers.
"I saw how often students from racialized, marginalized and newcomer communities felt that physical education wasn't designed with them in mind," says Khan.
"Whether it was dress, fasting, language or simply not seeing themselves reflected, many were opting out of something that should belong to everyone."
His experience shapes the foundation of Khan's teaching, research and advocacy work, leading him to explore how educators can create environments where every student feels welcomed, represented and empowered to participate.
Among the initiatives Khan is most proud of is “Learning from the Land,” which invites teacher-candidates to walk the Huron-Wendat Trail at York's Keele Campus and engage with Indigenous histories, relationships to place and the diverse populations that make up the York community.
"These walks remind future teachers that land, place and community are powerful teachers in their own right, and that culturally responsive practice begins with understanding where we stand," says Khan.
Khan also partners with OPHEA (Ontario Physical Activity Standards in Education) to deliver workshops on gender-based violence prevention, preparing future educators with the knowledge and confidence to address complex issues in health and physical education settings.
Khan says the award affirms the importance of culturally responsive practice across classrooms, curricula and community partnerships.
"It reinforces a conviction that runs through everything I do: teaching, research and advocacy are inseparable," he says.
"Whether I'm preparing teacher candidates, developing curriculum, conducting research, or working alongside community partners, the goal is the same, to ensure that culturally responsive practice isn't an add-on, but a foundation."
As he continues his work at York and beyond, Khan hopes other educators will be encouraged to embrace inclusive approaches and help ensure health and physical education reflects diverse identities.
"I hope this recognition encourages more racialized and marginalized educators to take up space in health and physical education environments and affirm diverse identities in their classrooms."