Distinguished Teaching Assistant Awards
The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) and the Graduate Student Association (GSA) are pleased to announce a new initiative to recognize the contributions made by TAs to the UTSA teaching mission.
The first annual Distinguished Teaching Assistant (DTA) awards will have two competitive categories: (1) The Humanities, Social Sciences, and Professional Schools and (2) Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Five graduate students in each category (one Distinguished TA and four Outstanding TAs) will receive a plaque and a cash honorarium.
The selection committee may also make additional awards, including certificates of recognition. The TLC and the GSA will recognize all the recipients at a reception that will include the recipients invited guests, chairs, deans, and other dignitaries.
Eligibility: Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Be a graduate teaching assistant with duties as a course instructor, discussion leader, or lab supervisor
- Have earned 12 graduate credit hours or more prior to Spring 2009
- Have earned a 3.25 GPA or higher
- Have at least one semester of experience as a graduate teaching assistant with instructional, discussion leader, or lab supervisory duties at the University prior to Spring 2009
Procedures: Each department is responsible for its internal nomination procedure. Departments may nominate more than one candidate at any time prior to the deadline. In addition, students will have the opportunity to nominate their own TAs online through the TLC website. TAs may nominate outstanding colleagues; however, self nominations will not be accepted. We will notify you of all student nominations from your respective department. Deadline for nominations is February 16, 2009.
We recommend that you make the nominee responsible for assembling his or her nomination packet. A nomination packet is due to the DTA Selection Committee, care of the TLC by March 6, 2009. It should contain the following:
- Completed contact information form below
- Cover letter written by the nominee, specifying relevant experience and merit
- A letter of recommendation from their supervising professor
- A one to two-page teaching philosophy statement (see the TLC webpage for articles offering guidelines)
- Compiled student evaluations from the previous two semesters (or last semester for new TAs)
The DTA Selection Committee will determine the finalists by March 16, 2009. Following the evaluation process, which will include a classroom observation or a structured interview, the DTA Selection Committee will select the award recipients in each category. Announcements will be made on April 22, 2009 with awards made at a reception honoring the recipients the week of April 27-May 1, 2009.
POC is Barbara Millis (barbara.millis@utsa.edu) or Terri Kadala (terri.kadala@utsa.edu).
Summary of Critical Dates: 2009
February 16 |
Nomination deadline |
March 6 |
TA Packets due to Teaching and Learning Center |
March 16 |
Finalists Announced |
March 16-April 17 |
Classroom observations occur |
April 22 |
Selection Committee Meets: Recipients Announced |
April 27-May 1 |
Award Reception for Distinguished and Outstanding TAs and TAs receiving Teaching Recognition Awards |
