MOOSE JAW — Genelle Payant, an instructor at Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Moose Jaw campus, has received this year’s teaching excellence award, something she did not expect considering she never trained to be an educator.
“It’s an honour,” said the human resources instructor, who accepted her award during convocation on June 5.
Payant noted that she works with many exceptional colleagues “who are doing some really wonderful things in the classroom.” Therefore, it was a big surprise that Sask. Polytech chose her for the accolade even though she knew of her co-workers’ efforts.
According to Sask. Polytech, Payant — who teaches second-year business students — creates engaging learning environments by tailoring learning strategies and assessments to ensure all students can access course materials. Moreover, she is “respectful, accommodating and willing to work” with the institution’s accessibility team.
Also, the Assiniboia-born woman is an active board member of Chartered Professional in Human Resources Saskatchewan (CPHRS) and “was an integral part” in aligning the educational institution’s business diploma in human resources and the HR certificate with CPHRS’s accreditation standards.
Receiving the award means more to Payant than she thought, considering she has worked in the HR industry for almost 30 years and didn’t think she needed more recognition. Furthermore, she is not a trained academic and has been an instructor for only six years, so she appreciated how Sask. Polytech rewarded her for doing well.
“So … someone somewhere must think I’m doing OK, so that’s great,” she laughed.
Payant noted that she enjoys working with students, helping shape future HR specialists and giving back to the next generation, while she appreciates how human resources is a career, discipline and profession that has meaning and purpose.
The Assiniboia-born woman’s first HR job was at a hotel, while she later acquired an entry-level position and eventually became an HR director in Calgary. After over 10 years in Cowtown, she moved back to Saskatchewan and started a consulting practice, which is still active and lets her “pick away at it” when she has time.
Payant’s business allows her to remain current and relevant, which is important to her as an HR professional and shows her students she is still actively practising. Moreover, she appreciates how Sask. Polytech lets her have this side gig, which she expects to pursue even in retirement.
Asked about helping align Sask. Polytech’s programs with CPHRS’s accreditation standards, Payant explained that she had just started teaching as the institution was about to conduct its every five-year review process to ensure classes and programs matched industry expectations.
The HR instructor had a CPHR designation — but wasn’t yet on the board — and had a good understanding of the requirements, so her role was to review the courses, take all the relevant materials, and align them with professional standards.
“So that was quite a rigorous, time-consuming job, but it paid off because Sask. Polytech was the very first post-secondary institution in the province to have accreditation from CPHR Saskatchewan,” Payant said.
This accreditation process means HR-focused students who graduate with an average higher than 70 per cent don’t have to write a national exam, which can be so challenging that even seasoned HR professionals fail on the first attempt, she continued. So, removing this requirement benefits students since they don’t have to commit time, money or stress to studying for and writing the exam.
“It’s wonderful. It’s a huge feather in our cap,” said Payant, noting that while other Saskatchewan universities have since made similar changes, it was great for Sask. Polytech to be a leader since the enhancements made the institution’s programs more relevant and popular.
Payant added that she will soon help with another program review that will consider new changes in the industry, such as the use of artificial intelligence.
During the convocation, Sask. Polytech also gave an honorary degree in applied studies to Rob Clark. Clark has served as CEO of the Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce since 2015 and has held numerous board roles that support local economic and community development.
