Innovation in Teaching Writing Award

The Innovation in Teaching Award is given to graduate students teaching composition who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in curriculum design or teaching practice. To qualify for consideration, a candidate must
a) implement an innovative curricular component or teaching practice into an eligible writing course during the current academic year,
b) be employed as a teaching assistant during the current academic year, and
c) not have received the award in the last two years.

Eligible Courses: ENG 101, 201, 301.

Candidates must submit an application letter of 2-4 pages that a) describes an innovative curricular component or teaching practice that they incorporated into their teaching this year (e.g. a new unit, writing assignment, selection of readings, lesson plan, or teaching method), b) summarizes the innovation, c) discusses the motivation for adopting this approach, including the learning goals/targeted course competencies and d) describes the outcomes of the teaching experience (successes, challenges, potential revisions). If desired, the candidates may draw connections to current composition scholarship in the application letter but are not required to do so. A maximum of five pages of relevant teaching materials may also be included with the application. Entries will be evaluated by members of the English Awards Committee and, when available, a faculty member who has expertise in composition instruction. Award-winning projects will be shared with the English department.