The 2025 Outstanding Teaching Awards: Juan Fernández Cantero

Each Friday this summer, UKNow is highlighting one of the winners of the University of Kentucky’s 2025 Outstanding Teaching Awards, given by the Office for Faculty Advancement with the Office of the Provost.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 6, 2025) —Juan Fernández Cantero, Ph.D., lecturer and interim director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Hispanic Studies in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, is one of nine winners to receive the University of Kentucky’s 2025 Outstanding Teaching Awards.

These awards identify and recognize individuals who demonstrate special dedication to student achievement and who are successful in their teaching. Recipients were selected via nomination and reviewed by a selection committee based in the UK Provost’s Office for Faculty Advancement and the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT).

“Being nominated and selected for the Outstanding Teaching Award is a tremendous honor. It’s a wonderful affirmation of our department’s shared commitment to student success,” Fernández Cantero said. “This recognition inspires me to keep refining my practice and fostering an engaging, supportive classroom.”

Fernández Cantero joined the Department of Hispanic Studies in Fall 2023. His work demonstrates a breadth of pedagogical knowledge and a responsiveness to both departmental needs and student interests. As a lecturer, his teaching is focused on “Spanish for the professions,” with courses ranging from business to education to legal Spanish. He also integrates technology into his teaching to provide students greater access to authentic language materials and learning environments.

“My teaching philosophy revolves around empathy, creating community and self-actualization,” Cantero said. “I strive to listen actively, build a brave space where every voice matters, and empower students to become lifelong, independent learners. It’s a privilege to help them connect language study with personal growth and global community.”

Fernández Cantero says his inspiration to teach came from both his sister and a high school literature teacher, who both showed him how language can transform understanding.

“I find it incredibly rewarding to guide students as they engage with Spanish and explore new cultures and perspectives,” he said.

Yanira B. Paz, professor and acting chair of the Department of Hispanic Studies, nominated Fernandez-Cantero for the award.

“Juan is an outstanding instructor, supportive peer and mentor, and innovative pedagogue,” Paz said. “His work exemplifies the university’s commitment to teaching and reminds us of why supporting student achievement is core to our mission here at UK.”

In addition to classroom instruction, Fernández Cantero contributes to the department’s digital and online curricula. He played a key role in developing asynchronous offerings for Spanish 101 and 102 and currently serves as the department’s Vista Higher Learning Faculty Specialist, providing guidance and training on the online textbook platform. He has participated in multiple CELT programs focused on online teaching and inclusive pedagogy, including the Universal Design for Learning Faculty Bootcamp and the Teaching Innovation Institute on Artificial Intelligence.

Within the department, he collaborates with the Elementary Language Instruction and Undergraduate Studies committees and regularly offers digital pedagogy workshops for graduate teaching assistants.

Fernández Cantero has a Master of Hispanic studies from Auburn University and an M.Ed. from the Universidad de Alcalá. He earned his Ph.D. in Hispanic studies from UK in 2020.

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This year’s Outstanding Teaching Awards were given to six faculty and three graduate teaching assistants. Each winner received an award certificate, a commemorative engraved gift and a cash award in recognition of their teaching excellence at a campus ceremony on May 1. Read more here.