# UK's Shelita Jackson honored for teaching excellence, relational approach **Published:** 2026-06-09T16:33:33.000Z **Source:** [University of Kentucky News](https://uknow.uky.edu/professional-news/2026-outstanding-teaching-awards-shelita-jackson) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/uk-s-shelita-jackson-honored-for-teaching-excellence-relational-approach LEXINGTON, Ky. — [Shelita Jackson, director of Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Undergraduate Studies and assistant professor at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, has been named one of 10 recipients of UK's 2026 Outstanding Teaching Awards](https://uknow.uky.edu/professional-news/2026-outstanding-teaching-awards-shelita-jackson), which recognize faculty and graduate teaching assistants who demonstrate exceptional dedication to student achievement. Jackson's teaching philosophy centers on what she calls "connected teaching" — the belief that relationships are fundamental to how and where learning occurs. Drawing on years of experience in medical social work leadership before transitioning to higher education, [she brings real-world expertise into the classroom while creating learning environments where students feel supported, challenged and empowered to succeed](https://socialwork.uky.edu/shelita-jackson-promoted-to-clinical-associate-professor-advancing-undergraduate-education-and-student-success/). "Connected teaching focuses on both the students and educator feeling valued and working together," Jackson said in an interview with UKNow, the university's news source. "I strive to make the classroom a safe place by encouraging the sharing of ideas, while respecting everyone's thoughts and experiences." Jackson emphasized the importance of teaching students about interconnected factors affecting well-being, from individual to systemic levels. She draws particularly on her background in medical social work, teaching courses focused on practice, policy and macro social work rather than her previous medical specialization. One moment that affirmed Jackson's relational approach came recently when a graduating senior presented research at the university's UNITE research forum. The student hadn't considered undergraduate research before, but Jackson helped him realize his capabilities, and he later credited the program and his instructor with boosting his confidence. [The awards are administered through the Office for Faculty Advancement](https://ofa.uky.edu/) and the [Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching](https://celt.uky.edu/). [This year's Outstanding Teaching Awards were given to six faculty and four graduate teaching assistants, who each received a certificate, engraved gift and cash award during a campus ceremony on April 30.](https://uknow.uky.edu/professional-news/uk-honors-2026-outstanding-teaching-award-winners) Jackson's recognition comes on the heels of her recent promotion to clinical associate professor. [She has also been nominated for Program Director of the Year by the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors and was elected to serve on that national organization's Board of Directors.](https://socialwork.uky.edu/shelita-jackson-promoted-to-clinical-associate-professor-advancing-undergraduate-education-and-student-success/) ## Sources - [University of Kentucky News](https://uknow.uky.edu/professional-news/2026-outstanding-teaching-awards-shelita-jackson) - [Jackson promotion to clinical associate professor](https://socialwork.uky.edu/shelita-jackson-promoted-to-clinical-associate-professor-advancing-undergraduate-education-and-student-success/) - [UK honors 2026 Outstanding Teaching Award winners](https://uknow.uky.edu/professional-news/uk-honors-2026-outstanding-teaching-award-winners) --- 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-shelita-jackson.