ThinkAchieve: Connecting the Classroom and the Community
Faculty Awards
The ThinkAchieve Faculty Award program provides recognition and monetary awards for faculty members who have demonstrated exemplary teaching that meets the goals of ThinkAchieve. The goal of ThinkAchieve is for UTC students, over the course of their university experience, to increase their overall critical thinking skills, as exhibited by the ability to identify, evaluate, and interpret information; solve problems, develop innovative solutions through creative thinking; and communicate ideas and information effectively.
Faculty members are integral players in promoting student critical thinking skills through the implementation of innovative classroom and experiential activities that promote active learning. This awards program is designed to reward faculty for their work in developing and implementing these types of activities to improve student learning. Awards to faculty will be made annually at $1,000 each. Awardees will also be recognized at Faculty Awards Day in April 2013.
Any part-time or full-time faculty member who has been teaching at UTC for at least 2 years may be nominated. UTC faculty members, staff, and students are encouraged to nominate candidates. Candidates will be evaluated primarily on the basis of the nominator letter. Nominators are also welcome to submit up to two additional letters of support and supplementary material (examples of coursework, etc.) for the committee to consider.
Selection Criteria
The selection committee will look for evidence of a strong teaching record with a commitment to impact student development through active learning. The awards committee will seek evidence that nominees:
Excel at teaching and value learning. This may be demonstrated through activities that advance the quality and practice of teaching and learning in the individual classroom, in the department, across the curriculum or discipline, or college- and institution-wide;
Use effective teaching strategies to enhance student learning, including (but not limited to), team-based learning, service and experiential learning, learning communities, student portfolios, creative assessment, and innovative uses of technology;
Have a significant impact on students’ development, helping students to develop creative and critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Timeline
The timeline of the program is as follows:
- Nomination call – by November 15th
- Deadline – December 14th
- Selection announced – February 1st
Nomination Process
UTC faculty, staff, and students may nominate candidates for this award through the completion of the ThinkAchieve Awards Cover Sheet and submission of a nomination letter. Nomination letters should introduce the candidate and provide information that supports the selection criteria outlined above. Nominators may also submit additional materials such as letters of support (up to two) and course materials. The cover sheet, letter, and supporting materials should be sent electronically to Dawn-Ford@utc.edu by December 14th.
To access the ThinkAchieve Awards cover sheet, click here.
