The Teacher of the Year Award is given each year to recognize and emphasize excellence in teaching. Other scholarly activity such as research and publication records may become consideration in the selection process, but the main emphasis will be on teaching excellence as judged by faculty and students.
The dean is to appoint a committee with students, faculty, and administrative representation to select an outstanding teacher from the college. The selection of a faculty member at the college level nominates the college Teacher of the Year for the Robins Award "Teacher of the Year" which is selected by the Faculty Evaluation Committee from the eight college level nominees. This person is recognized at the annual Robins Award and receives a $2,000 cash award at the Graduation Exercises.
Criteria
The following criteria for selection of the nominees are recommended:
- Excellence in teaching over at least three years as supported by standard University course evaluations and letters from peers.
- The inclusion of other evidence of teaching excellence in addition to course evaluations and letters from peers.
- Responsibility for a minimum of a six-credit annual assignment including at least one undergraduate course.
- Evidence of creative teaching innovation.
- Because so many individuals are potentially deserving of the University Teacher of the Year Award, past recipients will not be considered.
Nomination Materials
In order to provide greater uniformity in the nomination materials provided to the
Committee, the following must be prepared:
- A statement from the candidate summarizing his or her objectives as a teacher, and explaining how his or her pedagogy is designed to meet those objectives.
- A summary of evaluation scores and enrollments for courses taught the last three years.
- Letters of support from students. Maximum ten.
- A letter of nomination from the department head spelling out the candidate's teaching responsibilities and influence on teaching in the department.
- A short CV that emphasizes teaching roles (including publications that relate to pedagogy).
- An external observation of the teaching.
- A sample syllabus.
CNR Selection Process
The winner of this award is also forwarded to the university-wide Robins Award competition. The
CNR tradition is to have last year’s Teacher of the Year head a committee of the previous two
recipients, plus at least three students, to select the current year’s candidate. The CNR student
senator should be your contact for selecting the students on the committee.
Our policy is that recipients of the CNR award for the past five years or the USU Robins award
(ever) are not eligible. Those ineligible for the award this year:
2009 Wayne Wurtsbaugh
2008 Michael A. White
2007 Karen Mock
2006 John Maleckek
2005 Chris Call
1999 Jim Kennedy (Robins recipient - ineligible for life!)
Nomination packets and all support materials need to be turned in to the Provost’s Office. The
Provost’s Office will determine the due date (usually the end of February). To allow adequate
time for the CNR nominee to assemble materials, selection should be made two weeks prior to
Provost’s date. It is often uncomfortable for the recipient to ask for letters of support, so it’s nice
if the department office help gather information for the nomination packet. There are example
packets in the Dean’s Office, NR 108.
After making a selection, please meet with the Dean to ensure that he verifies eligibility and
approves of the candidate before announcing our nomination.
Past Recipients
2009 Wayne Wurtsbaugh
2008 Michael A. White
2007 Karen Mock
2006 John Maleckek
2005 Chris Call
2004 Robert Schmidt
2003 Fred Provenza
2002 Nicole McCoy
2001 Ben Norton
2000 Dale Blahna
1999 Jim Kennedy (Robins recipient - ineligible for life!)
1998 Chris Luecke
1997 Mark Brunson
1996 Mark Ritchie
1995 Helen Ruth Aspaas
1994 Rob Lilieholm
1993 Chris Call
1992 Dave Roberts
1991 Jim Dobrowolski
1990 Ted Alsop
1989 Fred Provenza
1988 Mike Jenkins
1987 Mike Wolfe