# UK mathematics instructor wins Outstanding Teaching Award **Published:** 2026-06-02T13:28:42.000Z **Source:** [University of Kentucky News](https://uknow.uky.edu/professional-news/2026-outstanding-teaching-awards-faith-hensley) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/uk-mathematics-instructor-wins-outstanding-teaching-award LEXINGTON, Ky. — [Faith Hensley, Ph.D., has been named one of 10 educators honored with the University of Kentucky's 2026 Outstanding Teaching Awards](https://uknow.uky.edu/professional-news/2026-outstanding-teaching-awards-faith-hensley), recognizing her dedication to student success and innovative mathematics instruction. Hensley, a former graduate teaching assistant in the [UK Department of Mathematics](https://math.as.uky.edu/), earned her Ph.D. from the university in May. During her graduate studies, she held multiple instructional roles, including primary instructor, seminar facilitator and recitation leader for undergraduate courses in calculus, algebra, trigonometry and mathematics education. [The awards are given by the Office for Faculty Advancement](https://www.uky.edu/ofa/) and recognize faculty and graduate teaching assistants who demonstrate excellence in teaching and meaningful impact on student learning. [Six faculty members and four graduate teaching assistants received the awards at an April 30 ceremony](https://uknow.uky.edu/professional-news/uk-honors-2026-outstanding-teaching-award-winners), each receiving a certificate, commemorative engraved gift and cash award. A first-generation college student from Appalachia, Hensley emphasized her focus on active learning and creating welcoming classroom environments. "Math is not a gift; math is grit," she said, describing her teaching philosophy that emphasizes building confidence in students who often view mathematics as intimidating or inaccessible. Her pedagogical approach incorporates collaborative problem-solving and intentional practices such as learning every student's name and referring to students as "mathematicians" and "engineers" to help them envision themselves belonging in those fields. Hensley noted that during a Contemporary Mathematics active learning session, a student who had planned to go thrift shopping with friends instead rushed back to campus because they didn't want to miss class. Hensley's research focuses on inverse problems for the radiative transport equation within partial differential equations. However, she expressed that her primary passion has always been pedagogy, particularly helping students overcome mathematical anxiety through active, supportive teaching methods. Beginning this fall, Hensley will continue her work as a tenure-track mathematics instructor at [Cincinnati State Technical and Community College](https://www.cincinnatistate.edu/), which aligns with her commitment to accessible and affordable education. She hopes her students leave her courses with increased mathematical confidence and the understanding that struggling with concepts is a natural part of learning rather than a sign of inability. ## Sources - [University of Kentucky News](https://uknow.uky.edu/professional-news/2026-outstanding-teaching-awards-faith-hensley) - [University of Kentucky announces 2026 Outstanding Teaching Award winners](https://uknow.uky.edu/professional-news/uk-honors-2026-outstanding-teaching-award-winners) - [University of Kentucky Department of Mathematics](https://math.as.uky.edu/) - [UK Office for Faculty Advancement](https://www.uky.edu/ofa/) - [Cincinnati State Technical and Community College](https://www.cincinnatistate.edu/) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from University of Kentucky News, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://uknow.uky.edu/professional-news/2026-outstanding-teaching-awards-faith-hensley.