The Divinity School Prize for Excellence in Teaching
The purpose of the Divinity School Prize for Excellence in Teaching is to recognize and encourage the superior preparation of our doctoral students for careers in teaching. This award is given annually on the basis of self-nomination and the evaluation of a candidate's teaching portfolio. A teaching portfolio is a collection of documents that communicates an applicant's teaching philosophy and experience. Students who have completed the Craft of Teaching Program are eligible to submit a portfolio for consideration.
While the contents of teaching portfolios may vary, submissions for the Divinity School Prize for Excellence in Teaching should consist at minimum of the following items:
- Philosophy of Teaching Statement (1-2 pages): A personal statement that communicates the goals and values that animate one's teaching. For more on teaching statements, see the CTL's website.
- Teaching Biography: A chronological list of all teaching assignments, including a brief description of each with such details as enrollment size, type of course, teaching role, and pedagogical approach. You may also list your pedagogical training and teaching awards in this document.
- Self-Assessment Essay (1-2 pages): A reflective description of the steps taken to evaluate and improve one's teaching both in general and with respect to individual courses. This essay should evidence one's ability to think critically about and learn from one's own teaching.
- Approach to Grading and Student Assessment (1-2 pages): A reflective statement describing one's approach to evaluating student learning. It should indicate how you measure student learning and how such measures are related to your pedagogical aims.
- A representative syllabus from a course you have taught or plan to teach, along with a 1-2 page reflection on the course design and teaching methods (to be) employed.
- Additional items that may also be attached:
- Sample of comments on a student writing assignment
- Sample of course evaluations
- CTL Individual Teaching Consultation, CTL Mid-Course Review, or other classroom visitation reports
Students interested in assembling a portfolio will find the CTL's Workshop and Seminar on Teaching Portfolios particularly helpful. Additional information on teaching portfolios is also available on the CTL's website.
Portfolios should be submitted as a single pdf document by April 26 to the Area Assistant for Pedagogical Initiatives.
Questions?
Please contact Brandon Cline, the Area Assistant for Pedagogical Initiatives, for more information about the Craft of Teaching Program.
