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Queen's University
Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering
W.A. Gorman Teaching-Assistant Award
Nature of the Award
Teaching Assistants (TAs) play an extremely important role in the educational process.
Their close interaction with students in labs and in the field makes a vital difference
in how well students learn the material. TAs can make a subject exciting and enjoyable,
or can make it tedious and uninteresting.
To formally recognize the incredible
dedication and talent that our best TAs bring to their duties, the Department of Geological Sciences a
nd Geological Engineering at Queen's University will present one teaching assistant with an award
honoring their exceptional commitment to the education of undergraduate students.
The Departmental Teaching-Assistant Award is named in honour of long-time faculty member W.A.
(Al) Gorman. Gorman arrived at Queen's in 1955 and taught in the Department for more than 50 years,
dedicating himself to undergraduate education. He has taught more than 10,000 students throughout his career,
all of who remember him fondly.
Nomination Criteria
Any student (undergraduate or graduate)
who serves as a teaching assistant in a geology course during the 2009-2010 academic year (fall or winter term)
is eligible to be nominated for the Departmental W.A. Gorman TA Award. TAs must fulfill the specific criteria
found on the nomination form, which includes such qualities as: knowledge of the subject, ability to explain
concepts clearly, approachability, enthusiasm for the subject, availability for consultation, etc. We are
seeking to reward excellence in teaching rather than simple popularity.
Nomination Procedure
Nominations should be made on the Departmental TA Nomination
Form that can be obtained HERE: http://www.geol.queensu.ca/TA-Nomination-Form.pdf
The student(s)
completing the form must provide the information requested on the form. Please submit a clear and detailed description of the TA's performance. The clearer and
more persuasive the information given, the better the chance the nominated TA has of winning
the award. The signatures of five other students from the course in question, who are in
agreement with the TA's nomination, are requested but are not mandatory.
Completed forms should be submitted to Larke Zarichny's Office (Room 342, Bruce Wing).
Nominations may be submitted at any time throughout the fall and winter terms, but must be received
no later than 3:30 p.m. on the last day of classes (for each term - fall or winter award).
Selection Process
After the nomination period has ended, a committee consisting of the
Head, the TA Coordinator, the Miller Club President or delegate, and the Jolliffe Club President or
delegate will review the applications and select a winner. All TAs who have been nominated will be
notified that their teaching has been recognized by their students.
Presentation of the Award
The winning TA will be presented with a monetary award
and a certificate at the TA debriefing and award ceremony to be held early in the week after
classes finish in April. A plaque with winners' names will be placed in the Department. The
winner's name will also be listed on the Departmental website.
Please consider
nominating an exceptional TA you know so that their dedication can be recognized formally.
Any
questions and concerns may be directed to Jean Hutchinson, jhutchin@geol.queensu.ca
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