One of the first things you notice when you enter Kealey Dube’s office is a cart loaded with coffee supplies.

“There’s something special about being able to connect over something that’s shared,” says the 2025 Early Career Teaching Excellence Award recipient. “Whether it’s a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate, being able to come, nourish your body and connect person-to-person is transformational.”

The social work prof jokes that supplying drinks and snacks is her way of encouraging students to attend office hours – even if they only have time to grab and go.

“Students are juggling a million things – they are working, trying to put a roof over their heads, and oftentimes have family or community members they’re looking after,” she says. “I’m providing a space where they’re welcome – and not just to talk about curriculum. We are here to build relationships, because nothing happens without that.” 

Welcome to my office hours

Positioned directly above Dube’s computer is a quote by the late Jack Layton. 

“The words alone are really lovely,” she says. “But I also think that social work is a political profession – we are thinking about systemic changes. It’s easy to do this work when things are easy. But it’s really hard when things are hard.” 

And that’s when it matters most, she says. 

“We never know – in each moment – what’s going to be transformational.” 

Sometimes those conversations are best had over a cup of coffee – according to Dube.

“I love candy!” Kealey Dube keeps her beverage cart loaded with coffee, tea, hot chocolate and to-go cups, with a stash of candy on her side table. 

And candy? 

“We need to have fun in our lives, and this is just a little way to do that. It absolutely fills my heart to be able to do something nice,” she says. “You’re going to find lots of Coffee Crisps in here because I don’t like them. But it’s never empty.”

 Kealey Dube holds a framed quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald that begins, “For what it’s worth, it’s never too late, or in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be.” 

“You always have the opportunity – every single day – to make a different choice, come back to school or focus on something else,” says Dube. “It’s so inspiring to think that you can lead the exact kind of life you want.” 

And she says that the hard work is worth it. When students say to her, “I never thought I’d be in university,” or “I never thought that this would be me,” those are moments that stay with her.

“Students bring their life experiences, wisdom and energy to class – and it makes for such an amazing learning environment.”

What does it mean to have your students and colleagues nominate you for a teaching award? 

“It’s really humbling. I was intentional when I applied at MacEwan: I was looking for a place to grow – where what I do doesn’t feel like work,” says Dube. “Students and my colleagues are inspiring in so many ways and seeing how they put the work in to share their experiences – I was floored.”

For Dube, teaching social work is just as much about building relationships as it is about studying a textbook. 

“Students will continue to learn forever,” she says. “And feeling seen and heard – that will never leave them.”