Philip Amsterdam Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards for Outstanding Teaching

The George Washington University

Congratulations to our 2009 winners!

Natalie Deibel, History
Charity Fox, American Studies
Badri Shyam, Chemistry

Honorable Mention: Tevfik Aktekin, Decision Sciences
Gedare Bloom, Computer Science

Then President Stephen J. Trachtenberg and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Donald R. Lehman established The Philip Amsterdam Graduate Teaching Assistants Awards for Outstanding Teaching in Spring 2004.

Awardees are chosen each spring and honored at the lecture by the winner of the Trachtenberg Prize for Teaching. This year that event was on April 24, 2009.

Purpose

To honor individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to GW teaching and to recognize the important contribution our graduate students make to the educational process.

Eligibility

Graduate Teaching Assistants who are in at least their second teaching year in 2009 with outstanding evaluations from their students and their supervising professor, as well as outstanding academic work, are eligible.

Award Criteria

• Enthusiasm, effectiveness, and innovation in the teaching/learning process
• Ability to engage and inspire students both within and outside the classroom
• High standards of professionalism and collegiality
• Commitment to the educational enterprise of the University

Nomination Procedures

Any department or program that appoints Graduate Teaching Assistants may nominate one or more students by submitting a nomination packet containing the following materials:

• A letter of nomination from a faculty mentor/supervisor detailing the GTA’s accomplishments
• A letter of support from the department chair, program director, or second faculty sponsor
• A summary of students’ comments on the GTA’s semester evaluations, with average ratings where available, and/or letters of support from students
• Unofficial GW transcript of graduate work
• Additional evidence of teaching effectiveness and the GTA’s contributions to the department/program (e.g., educational materials created)

Selection Process

Award winners will be selected by a committee composed of faculty and students and chaired by the Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Academic Affairs.

Award

The award for 2010 is $1,000.

Nomination Due Date

Nomination are due to the address below by a date to be determined in March 2010.

Questions about the award or these procedures should be addressed to:

Geri Rypkema, Director
Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships
2121 I St., NW Rice Hall Suite 602
202-994-6822
rypkema@gwu.edu

DEADLINE: MARCH 2010