Kelly Cantwell, Guarini '26, who earned her MS and PhD in physics and astronomy from the Guarini School, has received the 2026 Guarini Graduate Student Teaching Award. Cantwell was a teaching assistant for a wide range of physics courses, ranging from introductory classes for science and engineering majors to upper-level courses for physics majors.
The Teaching Award honors graduate students who demonstrate excellence and dedication in undergraduate teaching and mentorship. Faculty members consistently praised her contributions and frequently requested her by name. Undergraduate students nominated her for outstanding teaching in both 2024 and 2025, and her office hours were exceptionally well attended.
"Graduate school is a long journey, and it's easy to lose sight of why you started," said Cantwell. "This award reaffirms that I've been pursuing the right things all along."
Cantwell's teaching philosophy centers on working through problems alongside students rather than presenting finished answers. This approach, she says, is more about building confidence than covering material. Beyond the classroom, she mentored undergraduate researchers and participated in Dartmouth's Rural STEM Educator Partnership Program.
"I try to always remember that students know more than they think they do," she said. "So much of my job is helping them find that out for themselves."
Since defending, Cantwell has started a position as a research scientist at the University of Calgary, with the goal of eventually pursuing a faculty position where she can continue teaching and research side by side.
