See previous winners of UTM's teaching excellence awards
The June Scott Teaching Excellence Awards for Teaching Assistants publicly recognizes the contributions, that teaching assistants (TAs) make towards the achievement of excellence in undergraduate education, and to honour those who have made exceptional contributions to teaching.
The award is made on the basis of excellence in teaching in its broadest sense. Excellent teachers typically demonstrate the following qualities:
- display a mastery of, and enthusiasm for, the subject area
- have effective communication skills
- have been exemplary in one or more areas of teaching
- are judged to be "outstanding" rather than merely "very good" instructors
- stimulate and challenge students' mind and encourage their intellectual development
- are interested in and reasonably accessible to students
The award recipient will receive $2000 for conference travel and/or professional development.
Nominee eligibility
The award is open to individuals who are currently, or were during the past academic year, engaged as a teaching assistant to support a primary course instructor at UTM. This can include both graduate and undergraduate TAs.
Individuals may be nominated for the award any number of times, but may receive the award only once.
Principal nominators
Any individual or group UTM may submit nominations as the principal nominator. Nominations from students are encouraged.
Selection criteria
Nominees will be evaluated for the award by the adjudication committee on the basis of outstanding performance in several of the following areas:
- outstanding effectiveness as a teaching assistant
- excellent command of the subject area
- skills in organizing, developing and presenting course material
- implementation of innovative techniques that facilitate learning
- sensitivity to student learning needs
Nominees may be a teaching assistant at another U of T campus. However the nomination must focus on their work at UTM.
Nomination process
A complete nomination package must include:
- a detailed covering letter from the principal nominator (maximum 3 pages) clearly explaining the reasons for considering the nominee, specifically addressing the adjudication criteria above
- a summary, potentially included as part of the covering letter, of the important points brought forth in the letters
- a dossier outlining the nominee's teaching assistant duties and accomplishments in the areas listed under adjudication criteria
- miscellaneous requirements outlined below, providing vital summary information to facilitate the adjudication process.
The package may additionally include:
- the nominee's curriculum vitae (not included in the 30-page limit)
- an evaluation of the nominee by the course instructor
- representative letters from students and others explaining why they think the nominee is deserving of the award
- a summary of formal teaching evaluations, if any exist, normally provided by the chair of the appropriate academic unit (do not include raw data)
- a sample and summary of other relevant information, such as teaching materials, which demonstrate the award criteria
As academic units have different expectations of their teaching assistants, it is not expected that a nomination package would include all the above evidence.
Nomination format
The nomination package must be completed in PDF format. The PDF file name should reflect the name of the nominee.
The nomination package should be formatted to include the following:
- a title-page that includes the principal nominator’s contact information
- a table of contents and labeled pages dividing distinct package sections
- a list of those who have written letters supporting the nomination, including the constituencies represented (in general, strong nominations include support from several constituencies, such as students, other teaching assistants, and faculty)
Due date and submission link
Nomination packages are due Friday, June 26, 2026.
Upload nomination package here. Please upload in pdf format using the nominee's name as the file name.
Notes on the selection process
Please do not include confidential information in the nomination package.
The adjudication committee will share their decisions by mid-October. Only the principal nominators are notified. Nominees themselves are not directly notified.
Principal nominators will be provided with the contact information of the chair of the adjudication committee upon request. Requests for feedback should be made directly to the chair.
The successful nominee will be provided with a full copy of the complete nomination package (along with a congratulatory letter). The adjudication committee administration will not notify unsuccessful nominees of their nomination, nor will the administration provide them (or anyone other than the adjudication committee) with a copy of the unsuccessful dossier.
Number of awards
The role of teaching assistants varies by discipline; they are instructors, discussion leaders, tutors, laboratory demonstrators, markers, advisors, etc. Since it is impossible to compare teaching assistants who have different roles, up to three awards may be made in any one year. The actual number of awards made in each year will be dependent upon the quality of the nominations received.
Contacts
For information regarding the nomination process, due dates, and point of contact:
Anna Reale
Office Manager
Office of the Vice-Principal Academic & Dean