Terms of Reference

The Provost’s Outstanding Support of Teaching and Learning Award annually recognizes excellence in the support of course design, delivery, advising and instruction.

Reward and Recognition

Public recognition at the annual Celebration of Teaching and $1000 prize.

Eligibility

All staff members who support course design and delivery, instruction, and student advising who are not faculty, term or sessional instructors. Nominations may come from outside the unit or department in which the nominee is employed.

The criteria reflect Our Learning Charter’s educator commitments and should be considered with respect to the professional context of the nominee.

A nomination letter for the Provost’s Outstanding Support of Teaching and Learning Award should clearly show how the nominee demonstrates outstanding proficiency in each of the following criteria. 

Criterion 1: Exemplify learning

Educators should “exemplify active learning and curiosity, demonstrate broad thinking, follow ethical principles, and engage with students and peers in a respectful manner”

A strong personal commitment to the ideal of learning may be demonstrated by, for example, maintaining:

• a passion for discovery that contributes to proficiency in one’s field
• a positive attitude toward, respect for, and trust in students and peers
• consideration of broad perspectives and worldviews

Criterion 2: Strive for excellence in teaching

Educators commit to “Integrate research, scholarship, artistic work and /or professional activities with teaching; Align learning outcomes, teaching activities and assessment; and Develop respectful and inclusive learning environments that support student learning”

Striving for excellence in the support of teaching may be demonstrated by, for example:

• developing or supporting the development of opportunities for students to be inspired and engaged with and in the process of authentic inquiry, wherever possible, in their learning
• include all learners in the process of creating respectful and empowering spaces for learning

Criterion 3: Enhance continuously

Educators commit to “Solicit and reflect on feedback from students, peers and others; and Engage in lifelong learning and continuous enhancement of teaching practice”

Engagement in ongoing evaluation of practice paired with reflection and continuous development as a practitioner may be demonstrated by, for example:

• reflecting on and continually enhancing professional practice in response to feedback from peers, students, and others
• modeling lifelong learning by maintaining currency in professional practice through pursuit of professional development

Nomination Process

Nominations should be submitted to the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning by February 15th  of each year, using the submission portal:

• Submission Portal

Nomination checklist – Limited to 10 pages

All formats accepted, in parts or as a single document through the submission portal.

• Letter of nomination
• Brief teaching philosophy statement or statement of advising philosophy that provides insight into core beliefs, values, and goals of the nominee (one page or less)
• Feedback on support or advising services from students and/or peers, up to the most recent two years of support history (note: feedback can come in the form of unsolicited emails expressing appreciation, letters of support, etc.)
• Abridged CV, focused on support of learning (not counted toward the 10 page limit)