College Outstanding Teacher Award

Nomination Procedure

Any full-time HFA faculty member at the college for three or more years may be nominated, excluding recipients during the past five years. Nominations may be initiated by a department chair, a department’s personnel committee, an HFA colleague, or the nominee.  Departments may submit multiple nominations.  Regardless of a nomination’s source, the material to present and support a nomination is identical and will consist of a nomination form, a classroom observation letter, a list of courses taught prepared by the nominee, a statement from the nominee, and statements of support from no more than three students, each of whom has taken two or more courses taught by the nominee.  

Undergraduate instruction is the primary focus.  Student support may, however, include one recent alumna/us and one graduate student.  This does not apply in cases where the nominee has taught graduate students primarily or exclusively, in which case the nominator should consult with the program's coordinator in the college.

Departments may nominate more than one candidate. 

Nominations are typically due in February. 

More information about the nomination procedure is provided in the Quick Reference Guide to HFA Faculty Awards and Grants.  

Please contact jbowman [at] hfa [dot] umass [dot] edu (Amy Fleig) if you have any questions.

Evidence of the following may help identify prospective nominees and aspects of the nominee's instructional skill to be highlighted.

Teaching Effectiveness and Creativity

  • has developed effective teaching skills.
  • is enthusiastic, well prepared, and presents the material in a clear manner.
  • encourages and motivates student learning.
  • is open to new techniques and different pedagogical approaches that stimulate intellectual growth and generate student participation.
  • is fair and reasonable conducting student evaluations.

Impact on Students

  • cares about students and has shown concern for their educational development.
  • is approachable and available to students in and outside the classroom.
  • is tolerant of different viewpoints and treats students with respect.

Subject Mastery and Scholarship

  • has mastered the subject areas covered in the courses taught.
  • incorporates new ideas, research and developments into instruction.

Contributions to Teaching Mission

  • is engaged in activities that improve teaching, for example, attending seminars, developing special teaching materials or publications, and exploring alternative pedagogical methods.

(adapted from the Center for Teaching & Learning)