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. The TLC defines active learning as “any instructional method that engages students in the learning process. In short, active learning requires students to do meaningful learning activities and think about what they are doing.” (Prince, 2004). 

Criteria

1. Demonstrates consistent implementation of instructional strategies that actively engage learners
2. Fosters a dynamic learning environment that focuses on higher order thinking skills
3. Communicates the importance of active learning to students
4. Encourages creativity and student-centeredness through active learning strategies

Award Submission 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. Complete and submit the Award Submission Packet Worksheet, which will include information and artifacts that support your nomination.
5. Optional: comments from student ratings of instruction that support the nomination
6. Submit award submission 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

Award Submission 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 award submission packet to the EEC.

Description

The Inclusive Teaching Award recognized the outstanding efforts of faculty who create and foster an inclusive learning environment for all students. Inclusive faculty design courses and learning environments that support the holistic success of all students. Faculty accomplished this by co-creating learning experiences and environments with students, maximizing accessibility, valuing all perspectives, cultivating a welcoming, safe environment, and utilizing inclusive pedagogical strategies.

Criteria

Demonstrated ongoing, intentional implementation of inclusive pedagogical strategies
Cultivated and maintained an inclusive course climate that promotes student belonging
Promoted a learning environment that values all perspectives
Created a learning environment that maximized students’ accessibility to learning experiences, course materials and texts, and resources

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 will be available again in February 2026.)
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 an Award Submission Packet to the EEC no later than May 15th. See each award for for award submission packet instructions.

1. After acceptance of nomination, nominees create an award submission packet.
2. Submit packet to EEC by May 15th.
3. Committee selects awardees based on individual award criteria by June 16th.
4. Award recipients will be recognized at the Annual TLC Celebration of Teaching Excellence. Each award consists of a $500 stipend and certificate.

The EEC is composed of a combination of previous award winners, faculty members of the TLC Faculty Development Circle, and students. 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.