A Trent University mathematics professor is being recognized nationally for transforming how students learn statistics and mathematics, earning two major honours for teaching excellence in 2026.
Dr. Wesley Burr, associate professor and chair of Mathematics & Statistics at Trent University, has received both the Statistics Society of Canada’s Early Career Educator Award and the Canadian Mathematical Society’s Excellence in Teaching Award, cementing his reputation as one of Canada’s leading post-secondary educators in the field.
University leadership says Burr’s approach is reshaping the student experience in disciplines often considered intimidating or inaccessible.
“Stemming from his ability to combine expertise with enthusiasm and curiosity, Dr. Burr’s work is transforming the experience of learning math and stats for countless learners,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University.
Bruce added that Burr’s teaching is helping students build both confidence and competence in mathematics. “Some students are intimidated by mathematics, and Wesley is effectively changing that experience,” she said. “These national honours recognize Dr. Burr’s commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.”
Burr’s path into teaching began early, fuelled by a strong aptitude for mathematics in high school. He accelerated through both secondary school and early university coursework before being hired as a teaching assistant at Queen’s University during his second year of undergraduate studies.
He credits early mentors, including retired professor Leo Jonker — the inaugural recipient of the CMS Excellence in Teaching Award in 2004 — with shaping his approach to education and reinforcing his belief that mathematics and statistics are skills anyone can learn.
“Mathematics and statistics are fundamental for life and learning, particularly in the sciences, but like a language, you have to practice and speak it regularly to gain fluency,” Burr said. “All it takes for kids to believe they can’t do math is one bad year, so people close that door too early and shut themselves off from some really interesting possibilities.”
He describes his teaching philosophy as a structured journey for students rather than a series of disconnected lessons.
“Like a story, courses in math and stats should take students on a journey,” he said. “Students start somewhere, arrive somewhere else, and along the way they’re connecting ideas, reinforcing concepts and growing.”
Since joining Trent University in 2016, Burr has taught 19 different courses — some up to 13 times — and has played a central role in reshaping the institution’s statistics curriculum. He developed a cohesive program that emphasizes real-world data, computational methods and practical application using R programming.
At the first-year level, Burr’s courses now place less emphasis on manual calculation and more focus on modern scientific skills such as data analysis, reproducibility and communication.
University officials say his work has had a lasting impact on curriculum design, including the re-launch of a statistics specialization that blends theoretical foundations with hands-on computing.
The national recognition from the CMS and SSC adds to a growing list of honours for Burr, including the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations’ Teaching Award in 2025. His work is also noted for implementing mastery-based grading systems that allow students multiple opportunities to demonstrate understanding rather than relying on high-stakes exams.
Colleagues say the approach reflects Burr’s broader commitment to accessibility and inclusion in higher education, echoing the influence of his own mentors and long-standing focus on student success.
At Trent, his work builds on a legacy of teaching excellence in mathematics, including past CMS award recipient David Poole, who continues to contribute to the discipline through an annual public lecture series in his name.
