Centre for Learning and Teaching

Sessional and Part‑time Instructor Award for Excellence in Teaching

There were no recipients of this award in 2023.

All Recipients


Award Description

One award will be presented annually. The award may be withheld if there is no suitable candidate.

Criteria

Both nominators and evaluators should consider the following list of criteria. Nominees should provide evidence of outstanding teaching, which can include but is not limited to:

  • evidence of excellent overall quality in teaching courses as determined by students and peers at both the undergraduate level and, where possible, the graduate level
  • evidence of sustained commitment to excellence in teaching and learning over a number of years
  • incorporation of innovative, inclusive, and evidence-based teaching and learning approaches where possible and appropriate
  • effective and appropriate use of technology for online, blended, and face-to-face contexts
  • utilization of effective and innovative assessment methods that focus on the deep learning of the subject and the development of critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
  • having a comprehensive knowledge of the subject and setting high standards and motivating students to attain them
  • evidence of educational leadership beyond the expectations of contract and part-time instructors
  • developing innovative curricula to support diversity, developing cross-cultural competencies, and enhancing the understanding of groups who have experienced historic and ongoing disadvantage and harm
  • fostering safer spaces by implementing innovative and culturally responsive pedagogies that specifically support and enhance diverse student populations’ educational experiences

This award shall normally be awarded once to any single recipient over the course of their career at Dalhousie.

Value of Award

$500 per recipient

A nomination package must include

  1. Letter of nomination
  2. The nominee's abbreviated CV (max. 4,000 words, 12pt, single-spaced)
  3. The nominee's teaching dossier (max. 5,000 words, 12pt, single-spaced) with specific sections required as follows:
    • Teaching Philosophy and approaches to teaching
    • List courses/sections taught at Dalhousie, years taught, enrollment
    • Courses developed and/or modified
    • Course design or teaching and learning innovations
    • Student/peer feedback and reflection on how this feedback has led to changes in approaches to teaching
    • Professional development of own teaching
    • Service to Teaching/Educational Leadership/Teaching Publications and/or Presentations
    • List any previous Teaching Awards (if any)
  4. Two letters of support from current and/or former students
  5. Two letters of support from colleagues
  6. Additional supporting materials (e.g., course descriptions, descriptions of course innovations, publications or presentations on teaching, written comments from Student Learning Experience Questionnaire, additional letters of support, etc.) (max. 10 pages)
  7. 150-word biography of nominee (to be used for communication purposes should the nominee be selected to receive the award)

Nominators should inform nominees of their nomination, providing nominees with enough time to write and compile the sections of the award file that must be written by the nominee. Nominators should collect and collate all required materials including those written by the nominee and the letters of supports to ensure confidentiality. The nominator is responsible for submitting the award nomination package on or before the deadline. In the case of self-nominations, the self-nominator should seek a colleague to request, collect and submit letters of support on their behalf to ensure confidentiality. This colleague shall submit the letters as a separate electronic file to the Centre for Learning and Teaching.

Eligibility

Candidates must be a part-time member of the Dalhousie University teaching staff. While there is no rigid criterion for length and breadth of service at the university, a teaching record extending over several years and including the teaching of more than one course is expected. Nominees shall normally be teaching at least one course at Dalhousie in the term of nomination.

Submission of Nomination

Full nomination packages must be submitted as one PDF.  Nominations may be submitted one of two ways:

  1. Upload the nomination online 
  2. Email the nomination to clt@dal.ca

Nominations close each year on January 31.

Selection Committee

  • Faculty Senator (elected by SLTC) – who shall chair the committee
  • Executive Director, CLT (or designate)
  • (1) Dean or Associate Dean Academic – appointed annually
  • (1) Faculty Representatives – appointed annually
  • (2) Sessional and part-time instructor representatives (from the pool of previous winners, where possible)
  • (1) Student Representative – appointed annually in consultation with the DSU