The University of Lethbridge Excellence in Teaching Award

The Award

The University of Lethbridge Excellence in Teaching Award, formerly known as the Distinguished Teaching Award, was established in 1987 at the University of Lethbridge under the auspices of the President. The award is in recognition of the central importance of teaching to the philosophy and goals of the University of Lethbridge and to provide recognition to those members of the academic staff who excel in teaching.

The award is open to all full and part-time members of the academic staff currently employed at the University of Lethbridge. Each year the Selection Committee for Excellence in Teaching Award selects from among nominees provided by members of the university community, usually one member of the academic staff for an award.

The award consists of a medal and a certificate presented to the recipient at Convocation, and the inclusion of the recipient's name on a list of Excellence in Teaching Awards published annually in the University Calendar.

Selection Committee

The Selection Committee will be chaired by the Executive Director of the Teaching Centre. Members of the Selection Committee for the Excellence in Teaching Award normally consist of six academic staff (one from each faculty/school), two undergraduate students, one graduate student, one Senate, and one Alumni Association representative. Academic staff are appointed by their dean to represent a broad range of disciplinary interests and, therefore, a broad range of teaching activities; students are appointed by the Students' Union and Graduate Student’s Association; Alumni and Senate representatives are selected by their respective bodies. To provide continuity, members are assigned to either a one, two or three-year term.

Criteria for Evaluation of Teaching Excellence

Teaching at the University of Lethbridge is defined broadly and includes some or all of the following activities: classroom instruction (including small-group teaching, and laboratory instruction); consultation with students outside of class (including individual tutoring, advising, independent study, and other curriculum related activities); graduate student supervision; production of educational materials (including textbooks, audio/video materials, laboratory guides, and computer software); development of innovative teaching methods; and research on university teaching.

In choosing recipients for the award, the Selection Committee seeks from the nominators and other sources, sufficient evidence of teaching excellence in the form of a succinct dossier.

Excellence in Teaching Award Nominee Dossier Requirements Checklist

Nomination Procedures

Nominator's Responsibilities:

Nominations of a member of the academic staff may be made by any member of the university community (students, faculty, alumni, staff).

Nomination forms are available below:

Nomination Form

Individuals contemplating developing a nomination with regards to a member of the academic staff may contact the Chair of the Excellence in Teaching Award Selection Committee for information. (teachingcentre@uleth.ca ).

Nominations Due December 1^st

Nominee's Responsibilities:

1. The nominee will submit a Teaching Dossier as outlined in the Excellent in Teaching Award Nominee Dossier Requirements Checklist
2. Nominees whose names are standing for a second year are encouraged to revise their dossier to ensure that the Selection Committee has current information on which to make decisions.

Complete Applications due March 1^st

Committee Action Following Nomination

Following receipt of the nominating materials, the Selection Committee seeks consent from each of the nominees to allow their names to stand for consideration of an award. As well, to be considered for the Excellence in Teaching Award, the nominee must sign the Consent to Release of Personal Information.

Nomination materials are retained for a period of two years from date of receipt and are included in all deliberations during the subsequent two-year period. Thus, once nominated, a member of the academic staff is automatically considered for an award in each of two years provided that the member retains a teaching position at the University. Additional materials may be submitted by the nominee at any time during the two-year period.

Further, the Committee will invite nominators, if they choose, to replace a previous year's original nomination package if additional information has since become available that strengthens the nominee's file.

Finally, the Committee carefully reviews each nomination in respect to the Award criteria through a fair process, and normally selects one nominee to receive the award each year.

The 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award Winner

Dr. Devon Smither

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