Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards

• Any Schulich Graduate Teaching Assistant supporting an undergraduate/graduate course in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
• Graduate Teaching Awards are reserved for Teaching Assistants suporting courses through the academic year: Fall and/or Winter term(s). The nomination form will be open BOTH terms, in November/December and March/April, of each year.
• GTAs may receive nominations from multiple individuals and across different courses. However, a GTA may receive only one award per academic year and may receive an award in a particular category only once during their graduate studies.
  
  

Overall Excellence as a Graduate Teaching Assistant

Recognizes a GTA who demonstrates exceptional overall contributions to undergraduate education through outstanding teaching, student support, initiative, professionalism, and commitment to student learning.

One recipient per participating department/program annually. Includes a monetary award in the amount of $250.

Excellence in Student Support

Recognizes a GTA who creates positive and inclusive learning experiences, strengthens student understanding, builds confidence, and provides meaningful academic guidance and support.

Examples include exceptional communication, mentorship, responsiveness, constructive feedback, and creating an engaging learning environment.

Excellence in Professionalism and Reliability

Recognizes a GTA who demonstrates exceptional accountability, initiative, sound judgment, consistency, and professionalism in carrying out their teaching-related responsibilities.

This award recognizes excellence across all GTA roles, including marking and assessment, course preparation, instructional support, and other essential behind-the-scenes contributions.

• Schulich faculty members, including course coordinators
• Undergraduate students
• Graduate students

Nominations are reviewed by departmental/program representatives using standardized award criteria. Each nomination is evaluated based on the strength of the evidence provided, demonstrated contributions exceeding expectations, and alignment with the award criteria.

Multiple nominations are considered together but do not automatically increase a nominee’s score.

Nominations may be submitted by undergraduate students, graduate students, instructors, and Course Coordinators who have directly experienced or observed the GTA’s contributions.

1. Choose the award category. Select Student Support or Professionalism and Reliability, based on the GTA’s most exceptional contributions. All eligible nominees are automatically considered for Overall Excellence.
2. Complete the nomination form, provided below
3. Rate the GTA’s contributions. Respond to a short set of questions using a five-point rating scale, based on your direct experience or observations.
4. Share an example. Describe how the GTA demonstrated exceptional contributions 
5. Submit your nomination. Complete the online form before the posted deadline.

What Makes a Strong Nomination?

A strong nomination provides a specific example(s) of how a GTA made a meaningful difference. This might include helping a student overcome a challenging concept, demonstrating exceptional initiative, providing particularly helpful feedback, or making an outstanding contribution to course delivery.

Yes. GTAs who primarily support assessment, marking, feedback, or course preparation are eligible. The Professionalism and Reliability category may be particularly appropriate.

You should select the category that best reflects the GTA’s contributions. Different nominators may nominate the same GTA in different categories, and all eligible nominees will also be considered for Overall Excellence.

Yes. Multiple nominations are welcome, including from different courses or terms. They will be consolidated during adjudication.

A GTA may receive only one award in an academic year and cannot receive the same award category more than once during their graduate studies.