The Southwestern Academy of Teachers (SWAT) invites the UT Southwestern community to Celebrating Excellence in Education, an expanded and re-envisioned program that builds on the Academy’s annual award ceremony. 

This special ceremony will recognize the 2025 recipients of the Distinguished Educator Awards and Outstanding Educator Awards, honoring educators whose dedication has shaped teaching and learning across the institution. Outstanding Educator Awards celebrate exemplary teaching within UT Southwestern’s four schools, while the Distinguished Educator Awards acknowledge individuals whose influence on education has made a lasting impact over the course of their careers.  Inductees to the UT System’s Kenneth I. Shine, M.D., Academy of Health Science Education will be commended as well.

A special addition to this year’s ceremony is the development of a wall display titled Celebrating Excellence in Education, a new art installation honoring past award recipients and their lasting contributions to teaching excellence. 

Following the ceremony, guests are invited to continue the celebration at a reception. 

View the 2025 SWAT award recipients.

View the 2025 Shine Academy Inductees.

Register today!

Date: March 5  
Time: 4:30-6 p.m., reception to follow  
Location: McDermott Lecture Halls, D1600