The purpose of the NACTA Graduate Student Teaching Award is to recognize and reward graduate students who excel as teachers in the agricultural disciplines. The award is for NACTA graduate student members who are involved in classroom instruction. The NACTA Graduate Student Teaching Award is a criterion-based award and is reviewed by a committee of NACTA members. To qualify for the award, a graduate student must have been involved in classroom teaching for a minimum of one year. Criteria included in the evaluation are the graduate student's teaching philosophy, statement of support from supervising faculty, evaluations submitted by students and an administrative officer, a self-evaluation, involvement in teaching outside the classroom, and a description of the candidate's specific teaching involvement. Recipients receive a plaque. NOTE: To simplify the award submission process, the Graduate Student Award Checklist has been deleted and molded into the Selection Criteria below. Please consult the "Selection Criteria for Your Dossier" below for help in preparing your award packet. Thanks!
Eligibility: (A statement by the nominee will suffice but will be verified by the NACTA Secretary.)
- Applicants must hold a current Graduate Student Membership in NACTA or must send the membership form and check to the NACTA administrative office to be received by February 1st (see http://www.nactateachers.org/). Please indicate that you hold a current Graduate Student Membership in NACTA or indicate the date you postmarked your membership form and check. This will be verified once received. Applicants who are not paid NACTA members by February 1st will be ineligible to receive the award and will not have their applications reviewed.
- Nominee must have been involved in classroom instruction (including laboratory and discussion sections) for a minimum of one year (2 semesters or 3 quarters) or the equivalent.
- Must be a graduate student in good academic standing.
- Award recipients are expected to attend the NACTA Conference in order to received their award. There is no funding for travel associated with this award. If funding is needed for travel, applicants should inquire about travel grants offered through NACTA or through their institutions.
Selection Criteria for Your Application:
- A cover page, including membership status to address eligibility. The cover page should include the following information:
- Name, title, professional address, telephone number, e-mail address of the nominator;
- Name, title, professional address, telephone number, e-mail address of the nominee;
- "Graduate Student Teaching Award Nomination" should be included on the cover page;
- Cover letter addressed to the Chair of the Teacher Recognition Committee, written by either the nominator or nominee.
- An essay by the nominee on his or her teaching philosophy, not to exceed five typewritten (double-spaced) pages.
- A complete description of nominee's specific teaching involvement.
- A self-evaluation of nominee's teaching activities (e.g., what was done well and where could improvements be made).
- A summary of student evaluations of teaching (if available), plus completed Teacher - Current Studentor Teacher Alumnus/Alumna forms from 3 current or former students.
- A completed Graduate Student Evaluation Formfrom a faculty member directly involved in the nominee's teaching activities.
- A completed Graduate Student Evaluation Formfrom an administrator directly related to the nominee's teaching activities.
- A statement about nominee's involvement in activities related to teaching outside of the classroom (clubs, review sessions, committees, etc.)
- Nominee's resume/vita, limited to 4-pages total.
Special Instructions:
Attendance at the annual meeting: Nominees should recognize that NACTA and sponsors expect awardees to be present at the annual conference to receive their award. A consent of nomination implies that the nominee has an intention and, if selected for an award, will attend the annual conference. All award recipients are expected to participate/make presentations at future NACTA conferences.
A professional photograph and short biography of each award recipient will be included in the awards program at the annual conference. Submit a biography (not to exceed 150 words) along with a high-quality, professional picture (the larger/better quality, the better your picture will be) and don't forget your story about your most memorable teaching experience. The biography, picture, and story should be uploaded along with your award packet.
First impressions do count. Attention to the neatness of organization, format, and presentation of applications can make a difference.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION:
Click here to nominate yourself or a colleague.
For each nominee, upload one single PDF file that includes all nomination materials (all documents, letters of support, teaching evaluations and other relevant documents) at the website by 11:59 PM on February 1st.
We will only accept one PDF file for each nomination, and the website will not combine your materials into one file if you upload multiple files for each nominee. Evaluations of all nominees will be conducted through the website and neither the Teacher Recognition Committee nor the evaluators will be able to put multiple files together for one nominee.
Click here to nominate yourself or a colleague. If you have any problem uploading files, contact the NACTA administrative office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
DEADLINE
Nomination materials for all awards (except Distinguished Educator and Teaching Award of Merit) must be uploaded at the website by 11:59 PM on February 1st.
QUESTIONS?
Contact the NACTA Administrative Office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
