The College of Arts and Sciences seeks to recognize the very best teachers in the College, instructors who display exceptional classroom teaching develop innovative instructional materials and approaches to instruction, involve students in significant learning and/or research activities, and advise and/or counsel students.
Each year, three faculty members, one from the sciences, one from the humanities and one from the social sciences, may receive the Senior Outstanding Teacher Award in the College of Arts and Sciences. Also, each year, three untenured faculty may receive the Junior Outstanding Teacher Award in the College of Arts and Sciences. The recipients of this award will be chosen from the set of individuals nominated by College departments for the University Teaching Initiative Award. An individual may not receive both the Junior Outstanding Teaching Award and the University Teaching Initiative Award in the same academic year.
Award recipients will be recognized at the College Annual Awards Reception, receive a plaque, a $200 award, and their names will appear on a plaque in the College office.
Eligibility
All full and part-time faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences are eligible for these awards, although the Junior award is available only for those without tenure. No one may receive the Junior award or the Senior award more than once.
Procedures
1. Any faculty member, full- or part-time student, former student, department chair, or DFSC may nominate an instructor for an award.
2. Letter of nomination:
a. Letters of nomination must be typewritten
b. Letters of nomination must be sent directly to the department chair of the nominee, addressed to the attention of the chair
c. Letters of nomination must contain the following:
1. the name of the nominee;
2. the academic department of the nominee;
3. a narrative that explains why the nominee should be considered for this award;
4. the name of the nominator and whether this person is a student or a faculty member; and
5. the date of the letter of nomination was submitted.
d. Letters of nomination are to be sent to the Chair of the nominee's department by September 1.
3. The departmental DFSC and/or chair will notify the nominee that a nomination has been made. In the event that several individuals are nominated from one department, the DFSC for that department will select no more than one candidate to forward for each of the awards. Thus, in a given year, a department may forward up to two nominees, one faculty member with less than six years of service, and one with more than six years of service.
4. Nominees who wish to be considered for this award should assist their DFSC (or chairperson) in compiling and sending materials to the College Teaching Award Selection Committee. The calendar for submission of nominations will coincide with the calendar for submission of materials for the University-level teaching awards. Supporting materials are due to the College Teaching Award Selection Committee, College of Arts and Sciences, by September 15. Supporting materials are discussed below.
Supporting Materials
Candidates must document the scope and quality of their teaching by preparing a teaching portfolio. The cover sheet provided with these guidelines must form the first page of the portfolio. Information on the preparation of teaching portfolios may be found in the following references: P. Seldin, The Teaching Portfolio: A Practical Guide to Improved Performance and Promotion/Tenure Decisions (Bolton, MA: Anker, 1991); and P. Seldin, Successful Use of Teaching Portfolios (Bolton, MA: Anker, 1993). (Note: Applicants should consult the guidelines for a teaching portfolio given for the University Outstanding Teaching Award, as well as the University ASPT document, Appendix 2, for a summary of common teaching activities and factors used for the evaluation of teaching.)
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