Beginning in 1996, Old Dominion University has recognized graduate teaching assistants for exceptional instructional quality. Each year, the University selects two outstanding graduate teaching assistants-one for laboratory instruction and one for classroom instruction. The outstanding graduate teaching assistants are selected in March, and, in addition to the $1,000 award, they are recognized at the spring faculty recognition dinner in April. Graduate teaching assistants who worked during the previous spring and summer semesters can also be nominated for recognition, in addition to fall semester graduate teaching assistants. All of the college nominees receive recognition certificates. Nominations are due in the Office of the associate dean during the first week of February. Please note the specific due date each year.

Outstanding Laboratory Instructor

Any outstanding laboratory instructor will be selected on the basis of student evaluations and documented faculty evaluations of their performance in assigned laboratory courses. That instructional category will include all types of "laboratories", i.e. non-lecture format instruction. The following information should be included.

• Faculties written evaluations/recommendations during the first two weeks of instruction
• Mid-semester faculty evaluation of overall effectiveness
• Student evaluations
• "Portfolios" of materials used in laboratory presentations, for study guides, etc., if appropriate. Please note if these were prepared by the GTA or faculty mentor. If examinations are prepared by the GTA, a written record of faculty mentoring of this aspect of the GTA development should be included.

Outstanding Classroom Instructor

The outstanding classroom instructor will be selected on the basis of documented student and faculty evaluations of their performance in a lecture format. The following information should be included.

• Faculty members written evaluations/recommendations during the first two weeks of instruction.
• Mid-semester faculty evaluation of overall effectiveness.
• Student evaluations.
• "Portfolios" of graded work and course preparations. If examinations are prepared, a written record of faculty mentoring of that aspect of their development should be included.

Judging/Selection

Faculty members from the colleges which utilize graduate assistants, who have been recognized as outstanding teachers will be selected to serve as an evaluation panel.

See also: Recognition of Graduate Teaching Assistant Performance

Contact Persons:
Graduate Dean/Associate Vice President for Research
Associate Dean, College of Sciences