College Outstanding Teacher Award

The College Outstanding Teaching Award is awarded annually within HFA to faculty who have made significant contributions to undergraduate student education. The recipients are celebrated for exceptional teaching, mentoring, and curriculum development efforts, and for their impact on students' lives.

How to Apply

Nominations may be made by an individual’s department chair, department personnel committee, or an HFA colleague. Any full-time HFA faculty member with 3 or more years of teaching experience at UMass may be nominated, excluding recipients during the past five years.

 Nominators will be required to upload the following information:

  • A classroom observation letter written by the nominator or another HFA colleague. The letter should describe 1.) the circumstances under which the nominee was observed teaching and 2.) the qualities observed that distinguish the nominee as an instructor, educator, and teacher. Specific examples should be provided to illustrate and support at least two of these characteristics.
  • A statement by the nominee discussing 1.) what or who inspires their teaching and 2.) their teaching goals or objectives and how they define success.oUsing the HFA course list template, the nominee will provide the nominator with a list of courses they have taught while at UMass to upload with the nomination.
  • Nominators may submit up to 3 student statements of support from students who have taken two or more courses with the nominee. When composing their statements, students should speak to the impact the instructor has had on their academic career and vocational or professional aspirations and describe two or three classroom experiences to illustrate why the COTA honor is deserved.

Deadline

Nomination and student statement of support deadline is typically in mid-February. 

Nomination Criteria

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. 

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)

More Information

Please contact afleig [at] umass [dot] edu (Amy Fleig).