In recognition of the valuable role that teaching assistants play in our programs, the University annually awards teaching prizes to UBC Teaching Assistants, with two of these awards being allocated to the Faculty of Education. The prize includes both a certificate and $1,000.00.
Eligibility:
The award is open to any UBC Graduate Teaching Assistant at UBC Vancouver who has been acting in the position during the current academic year (2021-22) and/or the preceding academic year (2020-21).
Nomination Process:
Nominations should be encouraged from the GTA’s faculty supervisors (e.g. professors, senior laboratory instructors), from colleagues working closely with the GTA nominee, and from students who attend/attended the nominee’s class or laboratory. GTAs may also self-nominate for the award. For full details, please visit the Provost and Vice President Academic web site.
Submission:
There is no application form for this award. Rather, the nominating party (or the nominee if this is a self-nomination) must compile a dossier of information about the nominee’s work as a TA, and include the requirements listed below, addressing the Effective Teaching Criteria outlined here.
- A statement of the candidate’s values and assumptions about teaching and learning in higher education and of their experiences with putting these values and ideas into practice (maximum 2 pages). As part of the above statement, the candidate might consider including some of the following:
- a description of a recent instructional opportunity or problem faced by the Teaching Assistant, outlining steps taken toward resolution of the issue.
- an example of written or oral feedback given by the Teaching Assistant to students in a laboratory, tutorial, fieldwork or clinical situation, or course. This could take the form of comments on lab reports or tutorial assignments, essays, or other submissions which the Teaching Assistant has directly overseen.
- further relevant examples of interest and involvement in teaching and student learning; for example, participation in teaching enhancement seminars and workshops, independent reading in the field of teaching in higher education, or involvement on Departmental or other University committees which examine teaching and learning issues.
- A summary of recent teaching responsibilities as well as contributions to teaching in the past: include number of students, type of teaching undertaken, hours per week in the classroom, and average time spent constructively in consultation with students and supervisors in carrying out Teaching Assistantship duties. (maximum 2 pages)
- Any formal feedback from students, colleagues and/or supervisors (in the form of student evaluations, letters, or related material) which addresses the stated criteria for this award. It is suggested that any letters be addressed to “To whom it may concern” or “To the Killam GTA Award Adjudication Committee”. (maximum 10 pages)
Nomination Deadline:
Individual nomination packages must be submitted to your Graduate Program Assistant by: Friday, March 4, 2022.
Nomination packages must be forwarded to educ.ore@ubc.ca for Faculty adjudication by: 9:00AM on Friday, March 11, 2022.
For more information, please contact the Office of Research in Education at 604-822-5512 / email: educ.ore@ubc.ca