Sylvia Wallace Sessional Lecturer Award

Teaching by sessional lecturers is of major importance in fulfilling the University's commitment to giving all students first-rate instruction. The Sylvia Wallace Sessional Lecturer Award, sponsored by The Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning, annually recognizes the important and essential contribution of sessional lecturers to the University of Saskatchewan's teaching community.

See a list of past award recipients.

This award was established in 2001 to honour the memory of Dr. Sylvia Wallace, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition. Dr. Wallace was an Associate Vice-President (Academic) at the University of Saskatchewan and a recipient of the University's Master Teacher Award. This namesake award recognizes exceptional competence in teaching - including superior command of the subject area, skills at organizing and developing class materials, and the capacity to motivate and inspire students. 

Reward and recognition

Award recipients will be publicly recognized at an annual event and receive a $1000 prize.

Eligibility

Nominees must teach at least one course at the University of Saskatchewan during the academic year in which they were nominated.

• Sessional lecturers teach in many different contexts: in large classes, small classes, and through individualized instruction; at the main campus or at off-campus sites; face-to-face and by various modes of distance delivery; and in all disciplines. Anyone demonstrating exceptional competence in one or more contexts is eligible.

• While there is no rigid criterion for length and breadth of service at the University, a teaching record extending over several years and including the teaching of more than one course will tend to increase a nominee's chance of being selected for the award.

Award nominations may come from students, peers, department heads, or deans. Individuals may also nominate themselves. 

Successful candidates for this award will demonstrate the following characteristics:

• effectiveness in undergraduate lectures/discussions/studios/laboratories,
• a command of their subject area,
• skills in organizing and developing class material, and
• the capacity to motivate and inspire students.

Nominations must not exceed 15 pages, excluding the CV, and include the following sections and materials:

1. Letter of nomination
2. Teaching philosophy statement
3. Evidence of teaching: This should include sample exemplar teaching materials and summarized teaching evaluations and feedback from up to the most recent two years of teaching history.
4. Abridged CV, focused on teaching: One- or two-page summary in list or abbreviated CV format. (not counted toward 15 page limit)

Nominations should be submitted to the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning by February 15th of each year, using the submission portal. (Note: this portal is only open during the nomination collection period)

• Submission Portal