GUIDELINES FOR THE
CATERPILLAR AWARD
FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING


Nomination Process:

The campus community will be informed about the award and nomination process via an article in the Campus Newsletter and (hopefully) the Torch. The proposed article is included as Attachment A.


Screening Committee Structure:

Each screening committee will be composed of three full-time faculty members and two student members. The faculty-student committee selection process is not defined by the Committee to Enhance Learning and Teaching (CELT). Colleges with small faculty numbers (e.g. Christ College) may elect to request faculty who serve an adjunct role within that unit to serve as members of the screening committee.

Each college screening committee may choose to have its finalist(s), not selected to receive the award for teaching excellence, automatically resubmitted as a finalist during the next two successive years. After that time, however, the committee must reconsider this candidate(s) along with other new nominations.


Documentation Requirements:

Once selected by the college committee, each finalist should be asked to address these questions, responding with a total not to exceed 1000 words:

  1. What is your image of a master teacher, and how is it reflected in your teaching?
  2. What do you do to help students come to share your enthusiasm for learning in your discipline?
  3. What innovative teaching methods or tactics have you used, and how successful have they been?
  4. How do you attend to your students' personal and/or spiritual and/or moral development?

Other documentation requirements shall include:

  1. Current résumé.
  2. Nominator's letter of support.
  3. Supporting case developed by the college screening committee.

Nominating materials should be brief and to the point. Do not submit "raw" student evaluations. Make the case for this college's nominee(s)--directly and concisely.


Calendar:

Nov 15 -
Announce award in Campus Newsletter and Torch.

January 15 -
Last day for submitting nominations to college dean.

February 15 -
Finalist names received by CELT.

May 1 -
CELT selects finalist and forwards name of award recipient to the Office of the Provost.

Reading Day -
Reception honors all finalists and announces award recipient.

August -
Award presented at opening convocation.

August-May
Award recipient works with CELT to arrange activities which promote excellence in teaching on VU campus.

August 15 -
Award recipient provides a written report outlining use of Caterpillar funds and submits report to CELT and the Office of the Provost.


Responsibilities of CELT:

The Committee to Enhance Learning and Teaching is charged with the following responsibilities:
  1. Select the award recipient from the group of finalists submitted to it from each college screening committee and inform the Provost's office of its selection.
  2. Work with the candidate during the year following the award to develop and promote activities aimed at enhancing learning and teaching.
  3. Serve as administrator of funds used for purposes outlined in item B.