The Faculty of Science and Engineering Excellence in Teaching Awards recognize and celebrate faculty members and graduate students who have made an outstanding contribution to teaching and learning within the Faculty. The awards honour the commitment, professionalism and talent that these scientists bring to their role as educators.

Award Categories

Senior tenure-stream faculty

• more than 5 years of experience teaching as a full-time faculty member
• maximum of 2 awarded annually

Junior tenure-stream faculty

• less than 5 years of experience teaching as a full-time faculty member
• maximum of 2 awarded annually

Non-tenure stream faculty

• includes contract faculty, CLAs and SRCs

• maximum of 2 awarded annually

Graduate Students

• includes any graduate student or senior undergraduate working as a Teaching Assistant within FSE (e.g. laboratory demonstrator, course coordinator, marker/grader, tutorial leader), including students from other Faculties. 
• Maximum of 10 awarded annually  

A winner of this award in any category is not eligible for the same award in the same category within any seven year period.

Criteria

The main criterion is demonstrated excellence, which may include one or all of the following (note: this list is not exhaustive):

• responds to diverse student experiences
• fosters intellectual growth
• supports the development of new insights
• deepens critical thinking
• communicates passion for the subject matter
• nurtures the creation of new knowledge
• responds to different needs and learning styles of students
• inspires student learning
• uses creative forms to engage students
• contributes to the transformation of curriculum and teaching/learning practices on campus and beyond, both within and outside of classrooms
• works collaboratively with colleagues to enrich teaching practices
• supports the development of teaching/learning capacities of graduate and/or undergraduate students
• nurtures the intellectual and scholarly growth of students from diverse backgrounds 

Nomination Procedure

The application must include the current CV of the nominee (up to 5 pages).

The application must include a statement of teaching philosophy (up to 1000 words) prepared by the nominee.

The nomination must include letters from a maximum of two York faculty members who are familiar with the nominee's undergraduate teaching. The letters should have been prepared within the four years preceding the nomination.

The nomination must include at least two letters from York students / alumni (undergraduate or graduate) who are familiar with the nominee's undergraduate teaching, but are neither currently enrolled in courses taught by the nominee nor being supervised by the nominee (i.e. where nominee is the graduate student supervisor or TA coordinator). The letters should have been prepared within the four years preceding the nomination.

Letters may be signed by more than one person and should describe and provide evidence for teaching excellence, addressing (without being restricted to), the criteria listed above.

Selection Process

The FSE Committee on Teaching and Learning (or designated subcommittee of CoTL) will choose recipients.

Value of the Award

Recipients will receive a plaque or certificate of recognition and a gift of appreciation from the Dean.

Deadlines

October 28, 2011 for 2010-2011 academic year and includes Summer 2011;
Applications will be received from now until October 14.

If you have any questions please contact Richard Jarrell, rjarrell@yorku.ca OR Tamara Kelly, tljkelly@yorku.ca

Nominations should be submitted to the Office of the Dean.

Faculty of Science and Engineering Award for Innovation in Teaching

Award Description

The Faculty of Science and Engineering recognizes and honours a faculty member or graduate student who has made an outstanding contribution to teaching innovation within the Faculty.

Criteria

The recipient should have demonstrated an innovative approach to teaching a course, lecture, laboratory or tutorial, or in other areas of curriculum development such as program design. The innovative approach might include or result in one or more of the following:

• respond to diverse student experiences
• challenge assumptions about the subject matter
• support the development of new insights
• deepen critical thinking and analytical skills
• make use of technology in an innovative/interesting/engaging way
• incorporate research into the learning experience of the student
• challenge disciplinary boundaries and traditional canons
• develop new methodologies
• encourage the creation of new knowledge
• respond to different needs and learning styles of students
• engage students in new and creative ways
• contribute to the transformation of curriculum and teaching practices within the faculty

Nomination Procedure

Nominations may come from any member of FSE, including faculty members, students and staff. The nomination must include:

• Nomination letter
• 2-4 letters of support

Letters may be signed by more than one person and should describe and provide evidence for teaching excellence, addressing (without being restricted to), the criteria listed above.

Selection Process

A panel will be convened by the Dean to choose recipients.

Value of the Award

Recipients will receive a plaque or certificate of recognition and a gift of appreciation from the Dean.

Deadlines

October 14, 2011 for 2010-2011 academic year and includes Summer 2011;
Applications will be received from now until October 14.

Nominations should be submitted to the Office of the Dean.

If you have any questions please contact Andrew Donini