Preparing a Dossier
The Committee on Distinguished Teaching Awards suggests that supporting documentation be submitted in the following order on as many of the items as appropriate. (Please note that some awards, such as the Pinnell Award, do not require all of the items listed below.)
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Curriculum vita of the individual being nominated.
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Number of years of teaching at Indiana University (include the specific dates) and present position and rank.
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Nomination letter. Nominators should substantiate why the person is qualified for the award by references to specific teaching qualities and activities. There should be no more than one letter of nomination; the dossier may include one additional letter of support from an academic administrator (Dean, Chairperson, Vice Chancellor) supporting the nomination.
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Courses taught at Indiana University listed by semester and enrollment. (Be sure to include course number and title). Distinguish between undergraduate (lower-level), undergraduate (upper-level), and graduate courses.
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Self‑analysis. The committee considers this statement of self-reflection to be of central importance and gives it much weight in its deliberations. In the statement candidates should discuss their teaching philosophy and how it is put into practice. Included should be an account of any efforts undertaken to analyze teaching, with specific reference to self-improvement and student accomplishment in its broadest sense. The statement should be between 5 and 8 pages, double-spaced.
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Systematic course or program development. Include materials or descriptions and evaluation data if available. Please include samples of recent syllabi.
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Student evaluations of teaching. Candidates should provide summary tables and charts and reflect on how they utilize these evaluations in their own professional growth. The committee wants to see a sample of complete course evaluations. These should be carefully chosen to reflect all areas taught (lower-level and upper-level undergraduate and graduate, if applicable). Include all student comments for each course selected for evaluation.
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Letters of support. There should be no more than five letters from students (choose carefully), five letters from colleagues, and five letters from external sources or community members.
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Peer Review of Teaching. No more than three letters should be included and they should be formative evaluations.
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Administrative evaluations. Indicate areas specific to teaching.
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Research and publications related to teaching. List publications and submit abstracts if possible. Include any public dissemination of teaching materials and methods.
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Academic student counseling and mentoring. Describe any unusual activities, such as working with students in special needs areas.
All letters written in support of a nomination will be reviewed by members of the Committee on Distinguished Teaching Awards. Once award recipients have been selected, segments of the letters will be used in the printed program and the script that are prepared for the awards ceremony. Excerpts from the letters also may be used in the university’s efforts to publicize these honors, in print and online.
All items should be submitted electronically as .PDF files.
In order to give the Committee on Distinguished Teaching Awards time to consider nominees and make final selections, materials should be sent to the Committee on Distinguished Teaching Awards, University Ceremonies, Board of Trustees, IMU M005, IU Bloomington, and submitted electronically, on or before October 14, 2011. If you need additional information, please e-mail disteach [at] indiana [dot] edu or call (812) 855-3761.
