TLC Teaching Awards

Description

The Active Learning Teaching Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of faculty who consistently implement active learning strategies to enhance student engagement in the learning process. By using active learning strategies, faculty foster a dynamic learning environment where students engage in higher-order thinking to actively construct new knowledge.

Criteria

1. Demonstrates consistent implementation of instructional strategies that actively engage learners
2. Documents positive impact of active learning strategies on student learning
3. Communicates the importance of active learning to students
4. Reveals creativity and student-centeredness through active learning strategies

Nomination Packet

Due to EEC no later than May 15th, each nominee should submit a packet that includes:

1. Letter of Support from Dean, Chair, or Program Director (if different from nominator): letters of support should provide evidence of how nominee exhibits award criteria and should be no longer than two pages.
2. Two additional Letters of Support from others who can provide evidence of faculty’s commitment to teaching and scholarship. Letters of Support must be from members of the UT Health Science Center community. At least one letter must be from a student. Letters of support should provide evidence of how the nominee exhibits the award criteria and should be no longer than two pages.
3. Teaching Philosophy
4. At least three instructional artifacts, e.g., syllabus, lesson plans, assignments, project descriptions, presentations, videos, etc., as evidence of active learning OR narrative report of active learning (narrative report should be no longer than 2 pages)
5. Optional: comments from student ratings of instruction that support the nomination
6. Submit nomination packet to the EEC.

Description

The Inclusive Teaching Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of faculty who create and foster an inclusive, equitable learning environment for all students. Inclusive faculty support the success of all students by eliminating opportunity gaps, valuing all perspectives, creating a welcoming, respectful environment, and utilizing equity-minded practices.

Criteria

1. Demonstrates implementation of inclusive teaching methods/strategies/effective practices
2. Designs and maintains inclusive course climate
3. Promotes a learning environment that values diversity and inclusion
4. Demonstrates impact on student learning and well-being

Nomination Packet

Due to EEC no later than May 15th, each nominee should submit a packet that includes:

1. Letter of Support from Dean, Chair, or Program Director (if different from nominator): letters of support should provide evidence of how nominee exhibits award criteria and should be no longer than two pages.
2. Two additional Letters of Support from others who can provide evidence of faculty’s commitment to teaching and scholarship. Letters of Support must be from members of the UT Health Science Center community. At least one letter must be from a student. Letters of support should provide evidence of how the nominee exhibits the award criteria and should be no longer than two pages.
3. Teaching Philosophy
4. At least three instructional artifacts, e.g., syllabus, lesson plans, assignments, project descriptions, presentations, videos, etc., as evidence of inclusive teaching OR narrative report of inclusive teaching (narrative report should be no longer than 2 pages)
5. Optional: comments from student ratings of instruction that support the nomination.
6. Submit nomination packet to the EEC.

Description

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning award recognizes the achievement of faculty who have contributed the most outstanding paper or presentation related to the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Criteria

1. Demonstrates SoTL in at least one of the following categories
   1. Presentation(s) at local, regional, national, or international level
   2. Article published or accepted for publication
   3. Research project completed

Nomination Packet

Due to EEC no later than May 15th, each nominee should submit a packet that includes:

1. Letter of Support from Dean, Chair, or Program Director (if different from nominator): letters of support should provide evidence of how nominee exhibits award criteria and should be no longer than two pages.
2. Two additional Letters of Support from others who can provide evidence of faculty’s commitment to teaching and scholarship. Letters of support should provide evidence of how the nominee exhibits the award criteria and should be no longer that two pages.
3. At least one of the following:
   1. A description of presentation to include conference name, date, type of presentation, overview of presentation, abstract, and copy of presentation or poster if applicable; a one-page narrative on why you did the project and how it impacted your teaching, field, etc.; and a description of the impact of this presentation.
   2. A copy of a peer-reviewed publication (published and/or accepted for publication); a one-page narrative on why you did the project and how it impacted your teaching, field, etc.; and a description of the impact of this publication, e.g., number of times cited, journal impact, etc.
   3. A description of a research project to include introduction/background, methods, results, and discussion/conclusions; a one-page narrative on why you did the project and how it impacted your teaching, field, etc.; and a description of the impact of this research project.
4. Submit the nomination packet to the EEC.

1. Nominations can be made by any UT Health Science Center faculty, staff, or student. Self-nominations will be accepted. Nominations from TLC staff will not be accepted.
2. Complete the nomination form (Nominations for 2024 are closed. We'll be back in 2025!)
3. Nomination process closes April 1. Nominees will be contacted by April 15th. 
4. All nominations are reviewed by the Educators for Excellence Committee (EEC). If nominee meets criteria and accepts the nomination, they must submit a nomination packet to the EEC no later than May 15th. See each award for nomination packet instructions

1. After acceptance of nomination, nominees create nomination packet.
2. Submit nomination packet to EEC by May 15th.
3. Committee selects awardees based on individual award criteria by June 14th.
4. Award recipients will be recognized at the Annual TLC Awards program and/or during respective Graduation ceremony. Each award consists of a $500 stipend and certificate.

The inaugural EEC will be composed of the faculty who sit on the TLC Faculty Development Circle. Future EEC composition will include a combination of award winners and faculty members of the TLC Faculty Development Circle. TLC staff are not eligible to serve on the EEC. The purpose of the EEC is to review nomination forms and supporting documentation and select the winners.

Members of the EEC can nominate faculty, be nominated themselves, and/or win an award. Faculty on the committee who are nominated for an award will recuse themselves from discussion and consideration for that award.