TA Teaching Awards

• Christopher Knapper Award for Excellence in Teaching Assistance (from the Centre for Teaching and Learning), the Alma Mater Society of Queen's University shall honour several teaching assistants who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the education of students of Queen's University.
• The Educational Excellence Teaching Assistant Award is awarded by the Engineering Society to the most deserving Teaching Assistant in any given year in Applied Science. In the eyes of the students they taught, this person will have brought concepts to life, encouraged questions and interaction, and dedicated themselves to improving the quality of undergraduate education through their actions and commitment.

Each year, the Department of Chemistry shall honour Teaching Assistants who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the education of undergraduate chemistry students of Queen's University.

These awards are presented to Teaching Assistants:

• The William Patrick Doolan Award; approximate value $500, will be awarded to the laboratory Teaching Assistant in 1^st year courses who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the education of chemistry students in first year laboratory chemistry.

• The Fisher Scientific Award; approximate value $500, will be awarded to the Teaching Assistant who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the education of chemistry students.

• The David Thomas Award for 2nd Year Synthetic Laboratory, approximate value $500, will be awarded to laboratory Teaching Assistants in 2^nd year courses who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the education of chemistry students in a laboratory setting.

• The Friends of Chemistry TA Award, approximate value $500, will be awarded to the Teaching Assistant, either graduate student or upper year undergraduate student, in a chemistry course who has demonstrated an outstanding influence on the quality of student learning.

Nomination Criteria

In order to be eligible for the award, each TA must be a graduate student (or upper year undergraduate student for the Friends of Chemistry TA Award) at Queen’s University who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the education of undergraduate students enrolled in a chemistry or an applied science chemistry course at Queen's. TAs are nominated by students who are enrolled in chemistry or applied science and/or a professor at Queen's University. Eligible candidates will be TAs who directly contribute to the learning experience of undergraduate students through help desk, leadership of tutorial or laboratory sessions, or by providing individual student academic assistance. A TA is eligible to receive one award in any specific academic year.

Nomination Procedure

Nominations will be made in the following way:

Students will have an opportunity to nominate their TA by completing an online TA nomination form through the course onQ site (or available here TA nomination form).  This evaluation should contain persuasive and compelling reasons why the TA deserves special recognition. The name of the TA and courses taught by the TA must be included in the nomination document.

Professors who have worked with a TA may write a letter of support for any nominee or may voice their support in a selection committee meeting.

Selection Process

Each of the Awards for Excellence in Teaching Assistance will be determined by a committee consisting of the TA Awards Committee. The committee will review all nomination packages and determine award winning Teaching Assistants by taking into consideration all information received from both students and professors. All decisions are final.

In general, the following criteria are examined when determining award winners:

• Excellent background preparation and solid knowledge of theory covered
• Good hands-on skills with lab equipment and instruments
• Great communication skills, especially the ability to explain complex subjects
• Ability and willingness to troubleshoot problems experienced by undergraduate students
• Great interpersonal skills - you should be approachable and willing to help when contacted by undergraduates
• Dependable and organized.

Presentation of Award

Winners of each of the Teaching Assistant awards will receive the Department of Chemistry Award for Excellence in Teaching Assistance at the Teaching Assistant Professional Activity Day in September of the following academic year. Each award will consist of a certificate presented by the Department of Chemistry and a monetary award.