Jan Stenlund from Lapland University of Applied Sciences (UAS) has been chosen as the UAS Teacher of the Year. He works as a lecturer in engineering education. The selection highlighted students’ experiences of Stenlund’s passionate teaching style, pedagogical innovation, and his ability to engage with students as individuals.
“UAS Teacher of the Year, unbelievable! I have a motto that I use a lot in my teaching: mathematics is easy and fun. This is also what I strive for in my work. I believe that motivation stems partly from making things meaningful and understandable. I also try to create an immediate and inclusive atmosphere in online teaching and bring the subjects as close as possible to the students’ own experiences and everyday lives – making it easy and fun. Receiving such a wonderful recognition, and specifically from you students, is the best reward I could imagine. Thank you!” says the Teacher of the Year 2026, Jan Stenlund.
The justification states that Stenlund is an inspiring teacher with a clear teaching style, and it is evident that teaching is his passion. He constantly develops new teaching methods and manages to inspire students with his positive attitude and personal engagement. According to the students, he is excellent at teaching difficult subjects and has succeeded in making the study of mathematics and physics fun, easy, and pleasant. Stenlund’s supportive and encouraging approach, which takes individual needs into account, motivates students to persevere even through demanding evening lectures after a long working day. His dedication and enjoyment of his work are clearly visible; he is always in a good mood, pays attention to even the smallest details, and keeps the student in mind when planning everything. Furthermore, students highlight his humorous approach and light-hearted interludes during teaching.
“Lecturer Jan Stenlund is a teacher highly respected by students, whose teaching is characterised by inspiration, clarity, and a strong student-centred approach. Stenlund continuously develops his teaching and utilises diverse, innovative teaching methods that make even demanding subjects approachable. His teaching combines expertise, carefully structured materials, and appropriate humour. Students feel genuinely met as individuals, and Stenlund’s positive and supportive approach strengthens motivation and the joy of learning,” says Riitta Rissanen, Rector of Lapland University of Applied Sciences.
SAMOK presents the Teacher of the Year award annually to highlight the high-quality and long-term teaching work carried out at universities of applied sciences. At the same time, the award serves as a way to thank teachers for their contribution to developing teaching and increasing students’ expertise.
“We received a huge number of excellent proposals. In our selection, we emphasised pedagogical expertise, student support, and creativity. Teachers like this drive UAS education forward and inspire students to learn,” says Annu Suvilehto, Member of the Board of SAMOK.
The Teacher of the Year award was presented on 5 May 2026 during the UAS Days, organised by the Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences Arene and Oulu University of Applied Sciences. SAMOK and the UAS student unions collected proposals for the award from university of applied sciences students. The selection was made by a jury consisting of Annu Suvilehto (Member of the Board of SAMOK), Heidi Savolainen (Chairperson of the Teachers and Experts in Vocational and Higher Education Institutions AO, representing OAJ) from LAB University of Applied Sciences, and Marianne Kukko (Director of the School of Professional Teacher Education at Häme University of Applied Sciences, representing Arene). Student unions submitted a total of 30 proposals for the Teacher of the Year.
Further information:
Jan Stenlund, Teacher of the Year 2026 [email protected] 040 480 4911
Annu Suvilehto, Member of the Board of SAMOK [email protected] 044 736 1145