A York University professor and teaching assistant have been recognized for their lasting impact on student learning, mentorship and academic engagement.
Assistant Professor Maxxine Rattner and teaching assistant Pablo Roy-Rojas have been named 2026 recipients of the Ian Greene Award for Teaching Excellence presented by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS).
The annual award recognizes educators whose impact fosters student achievement, enriches learning experience and strengthens engagement in learning environments where students feel supported, challenged and encouraged to succeed.
Named after School of Public Policy & Administration Professor Emeritus Ian Greene, the award was established by former students to honour his dedication to teaching excellence and meaningful learning.
Nominations are submitted by students and are reviewed and adjudicated by the Student Council of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (SCOLAPS).
Maxxine Rattner, School of Social Work
Rattner is recognized for her ability to make complex material accessible, her fairness in assessment and her dedication to supporting students beyond the classroom.
Students described Rattner as a thoughtful mentor whose guidance helped define their academic journeys. They highlighted her commitment to building community and her ongoing involvement in workshops, research committees and student association initiatives that enrich the student experience.
“I am really moved by the students who took the time to nominate me and I am also grateful to the committee of students who invested time over the summer to review nominations,” says Rattner. “SCOLAPS as a whole is a dedicated group, invested in fostering connections among students and between students and faculty. I am inspired by their efforts and passion.”
Through her teaching, mentorship and service, Rattner helps cultivate the supportive learning environment that enables students to thrive academically and professionally.
Pablo Roy-Rojas, Department of Social Science
Roy-Rojas is recognized for his fairness and for consistently offering constructive feedback and making challenging concepts accessible to students.
Students praised his subject expertise and noted that he encourages participation and values effort, helping create an environment where learners feel comfortable sharing ideas and asking questions.
“I am deeply grateful to receive the Ian Greene Award for Teaching Excellence and I accept it on behalf of the students who have shaped my teaching as much as I have tried to shape their learning,” says Roy-Rojas.
Roy-Rojas views teaching as a collaborative process in which students and instructors learn from one another. Some of the most meaningful lessons in his tutorials emerge through dialogue, when classroom discussions connect theory with students' lived experiences and communities.
“I hope to keep teaching in a way that treats every learner as a thinker and every classroom as a place where emancipation can take root," he says. "In those moments, teacher and student learn together.”
By fostering curiosity, critical thinking and active participation, Roy-Rojas helps students develop the analytical skills and confidence needed to engage with complex social issues both inside and beyond the classroom.
With files from Jessica Kubin