The deadline for the Provost Teaching Awards is approaching; applications must be submitted by May 15th, 2025. If you are considering putting in an application, or are interested in applying next year, here are a few things you may not have considered.
It can be fun!
Applying for a teaching award is a unique opportunity to reflect on your teaching practice. In articulating your teaching philosophy and the innovative approaches you are taking to engage your students; you have the chance to reflect on why teaching in this way is important to you. Often, faculty say that this experience is hugely beneficial, not only in looking back on what has worked or what struggles they have overcome, but also in looking forward and imaging what strengths could be built on in the future. It can help you feel even more excited about trying new things and deepening in your commitment to your teaching practice.
You don’t have to do it alone.
The CIEL is available to help you through the process. A Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Specialist can support you in your reflections, can ask questions to clarifying missing pieces, can explore with you the underlying meaning behind the pedagogical choices you make. Our role is to help you articulate your values, what you believe and love about teaching, and make sure you’re expressing that in a way that the selection committee can understand. We can offer a small amount of help at the outset, or we can walk with you through much of the process, all depending on what you most need.
Consider which category you would like to apply for
Early Career Educator Award
The Early Career Educator Award category is for instructional faculty who are closer to the beginning of their teaching journey (typically within 6 years of beginning their teaching career at the post-secondary level). In most situations, this award is most suitable for individuals who are at a stage of their careers where they may be mapping the contours of their own teaching philosophies, though applications would be expected to contain reflection on work they have undertaken with others. Applicants to this category might be expected to have less experience in the classroom and, as a result, fewer concrete examples to reflect upon.
Established Educator Award
The Established Educator Award category is for instructional faculty who have laid solid foundations for their teaching practice and are continuing to grow. This award may be applied for by one individual or by individuals who have collaborated on initiatives, thereby forming a collective body of work that will be recognized as a whole. Applicants to this category will be expected to have considerable experience in the classroom and many examples to draw upon. Their teaching philosophies should be well established, clearly articulated, and woven seamlessly through the application (revealing them to be the foundation of their practice).
Educational Leadership Award
The Educational Leadership Award category is for instructional faculty who have supported their colleagues in adopting and adapting new and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Applicants to this category would normally be expected to demonstrate sustained and ongoing leadership activities and have multiple examples of how their activities have supported their colleagues in the development and transformation of their teaching practice. This could include writing textbooks or Open Educational Resources (OER), engaging in scholarship of teaching and learning, or participating in other teaching-related pursuits not included in the list below.
Take a look at the Nomination Instructions and Evaluation Criteria
Each award has its own set of instructions, and evaluation criteria. Visit Provost Awards for Excellence in Teaching Design and Practice to review the required elements of an application. Giving yourself the time to review this will help you determine which steps to take initially: in addition to the writing and reflection you’ll be doing independently, you’ll need help from others including:
- A supporting statement from your Dean
- An Executive Summary of your application written by your Nominator
- Letters of support from students
- Letters of support from colleagues
If you’re interested in applying for a teaching award, but don’t think you can meet the May 12th deadline, then keep your eyes out for our next blog post, where we’ll make recommendations on how you can plan to apply for teaching awards in the future, and how you can set yourself up for having an enjoyable and successful experience applying.
Have Questions?
If you have questions about the Provost Teaching Awards, we would be very happy to meet with you. CIEL offers one on one consultations on pedagogical topics and around our learning technologies. To request a consultation you can fill out this web form or send an email to learnsupport@viu.ca. When emailing, we suggest including at least two days and times that will work for your schedule.
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