Amanda Morales, associate professor of teaching, learning and teacher education, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Donald R. & Mary Lee Swanson Award for Teaching Excellence.
The annual award recognizes exemplary teaching in the College of Education and Human Sciences, and is the highest teaching honor awarded in the college. Morales will be recognized at the college’s annual awards celebration on Friday, April 24.
Morales teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses on critical multicultural education, intercultural communication, curriculum and pedagogy, and critical and (de)colonizing theories in education. She also serves as the co-founder and advisor for the undergraduate student organization, Future Teachers of Color (FTOC), and as an advisor for the CEHS Racial Justice Alliance (RJA) student organization.
“Dr. Morales exemplifies teaching excellence through her unwavering commitment to students, her dedication to continuous growth as an educator, and her deep belief in the potential of every learner,” said Jenny Castor, a senior elementary education and special education (K-6) major.
As a teacher-scholar, Morales’ work focuses on innovative, humanizing and research-based teacher preparation, mentorship and professional development, as well as strengthening teacher education pathways. She strives to continue learning through ongoing collaboration with national leaders in teacher education, education policy and school-community partnerships.
“Dr. Morales is very responsive to the needs of both her graduate and undergraduate students,” said Beth Dotan, a graduate of the Ph.D. in educational studies program and current research assistant professor for UNL’s Harris Center for Judaic Studies. “She models her service to the University community while inviting others to join in those contributions. This characteristic draws students to her as a mentor and master teacher.”
The Swanson Award focuses on the positive impact of teaching excellence on students. The annual award honors a professor who promotes critical and creative thinking, encourages engaged and continuous learning, holds high standards for student performance while providing ample support to all students, and consistently works to improve their teaching. A complete list of past recipients of the Swanson Award can be found at cehs.unl.edu/award-recipients/.
College of Education and Human Sciences
Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education
