Teaching Awards

The University of Calgary Teaching Award for Non-Academic Staff (Individual) recognizes outstanding contributions of non-academic, individual, full-time staff who support student learning experiences. Eligible staff may include, but are not limited to, administrative, advising, library, student services or technical staff.  

The Award for Non-Academic Staff (Individual) may not be awarded to the same individual more than once unless the re-nomination is based on a distinctly different contribution. There will be one award available annually. The adjudication committee may recommend more recipients if multiple outstanding nominations are received. 

Teaching excellence at the University of Calgary is supported by the contributions of many members of our university community who enable and enhance the learning experiences of our students and the teaching experiences of faculty members. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to teaching and learning by a Non-Academic Staff (Individual). The assessment of nominations will be guided by the following criteria: 

Contributions and Initiative 

• Identifies specific needs, gaps or challenges experienced by students or educators, and generates ideas and solutions to address these needs, gaps, or challenges. 
• Takes action to strengthen student and/or educator experiences such as implementing changes to administrative processes, educational supports, access to teaching and learning materials, and/or use of university resources. 

Reflects Institutional Commitments 

• Makes outstanding contributions to the University’s education mission by improving student and/or educator’s experiences within areas such as learning spaces, teaching and learning supports, advising and other educational contexts. 
• Positively contributes to teaching and learning committees, working groups, supports and/or activities that advance institutional commitments in teaching and learning such as Indigenous engagement, mental health and wellbeing, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, sustainability, entrepreneurial thinking and research and creative scholarship.  

Respect and Inclusion 

• Supports the creation of respectful and inclusive educational environments and communities that promote active engagement, participation and a sense of belonging. 
• Demonstrates professionalism, leadership, integrity, and collaboration, contributing to positive relationships, morale and engagement. 

The nomination should be prepared by the nominator(s) and the nominee. Nominators may be one of, or any combination of academic staff, academic administrators, staff, or former students.

The nomination package includes:

• An online form verifying the nominee’s and nominator’s contact information, and the award they are being nominated for.
• A nomination letter (2-page maximum or 5 minutes maximum video or audio length) highlighting the nominee’s strengths, contributions, and accomplishments as they relate to the award criteria. This can be contributed by an individual nominator or co-written by nominators. Audio and video submissions that speak to the award criteria will also be accepted; and
• A nomination dossier (10-page maximum or 20 minutes maximum video or audio length). Audio and video submissions that speak to the dossier requirements will also be accepted.

3.1 Nomination Letter (2 pages or 5 minutes maximum video or audio length)

A nomination letter highlighting the nominee’s strengths, contributions, and accomplishments as they relate to one or more of the award criteria is required from an individual nominator or can be co-written by multiple nominators. Nomination letters are not included in the dossier page count; the letter should be a maximum of two pages or 5 minutes for audio or video submissions. 

3.2 Nomination Dossier 

Evidence of impact in teaching and learning should be provided from multiple sources, including a nominee’s self-reflections, student feedback, and feedback from colleagues. 

The nomination dossier should be a maximum of 10 pages or 20 minutes maximum video or audio length:

• Philosophy statement (1-page)
  The philosophy statement explains the values or principles that guide your work, and provides information about your role, context, approaches and contributions to enriching teaching and student learning experiences. 
• Descriptions of specific educational activities
  Detailed descriptions of one or more examples of specific educational activities you have undertaken that had an impact on the learning or teaching experiences 
  of others.
• Evidence based on the perspectives of others 
  Evidence about the impact of your educational activities on the experiences of students and educators. Evidence should be provided from multiple sources and could include the nominee’s self-reflections, student feedback, educator feedback or feedback from colleagues. It may also include information or data collected from formal or informal program evaluation activities (e.g., surveys, interviews, focus groups) directly connected to the activities implemented.
• Self-reflection statement
  This self-reflection should provide committees with a clear overview of the nominee’s unique contributions to teaching and student learning, highlight how these contributions connect to the philosophy statement, and identify future areas for learning and growth. 

Nomination packages are stored and treated with care and confidentially, with access limited to adjudication committee members. All written and recorded materials submitted must adhere to appropriate University copyright policies and procedures and will remain the property of the creator.

3.3 Video and/or audio submissions

Video and/or audio recorded submissions that recognize oral traditions and speak to the award criteria will be accepted. Recordings should present a first-person narrative to support the nomination. Professionally produced videos will not be accepted. 

3.4 Support

Support for creating nomination letters and dossiers, including video and/or audio submissions, is available through the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning.

Administrative processes surrounding communication, nomination and selection processes is coordinated through the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning.

A committee, chaired by the Vice-Provost Teaching and Learning (or delegate) and consisting of two academic staff members, two students (undergraduate and/or graduate), and a support (AUPE) staff, management or professional staff (MaPS) or postdoctoral scholar representative, will adjudicate the nomination files. 

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff, faculty, student and postdoctoral community benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to addressing systemic inequities by removing barriers that have been historically encountered by underrepresented identity groups in our society. We strive to ensure equitable representation on the awards adjudication committees. To this end, we encourage equity-deserving identity groups, including Indigenous peoples, racialized people, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ persons and women, to join and serve on these committees. All committees are provided with resources and training to mitigate bias and ensure fair and inclusive decision-making processes.

All committees are guided in the adjudication through a consensus-based discussion with reference to the criteria for the award.

Recipients will be presented with their awards at the Celebration of Teaching and recognized on the Wall of Honour in the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. 

Award recipients will be invited to join the University of Calgary Teaching Academy, to share their experience and expertise back to the academic community.