TFSC Teaching Commendation Guidelines

Each year the Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center provides commendations at the Fall Teaching Awards Ceremony in September.  These commendations are based on attendance at TFSC and TIPs events, along with required documentation and reflections. The certificates provided are signed by the provost, and photo opportunities are available.

The New Faculty Commendation packet is due by Aug. 15, and the Not So New Faculty Commendation is due by June 30. Below are a list of criteria for the awards.

The New Faculty Commendation for Teaching Commitment 

New faculty, defined as those with two years of service or less at the U of A, will be eligible each year for this commendation. Commendations will be presented based upon participation in new faculty events sponsored by the Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center or events supported by the TFSC and sponsored by the U of A Teaching Academy, Provost's Office or TIPS. New faculty should keep track of the events they attend. In order to earn the commendation, faculty need to accumulate the necessary points and write a one page reflection of what was learned.

Events attended, points earned and the one-page reflection can be submitted at any time, but are due no later than Aug. 15, to tfsc@uark.edu.

Points will be earned as follows:

1. Attending the New Faculty Orientation (for first-year faculty only) - 25 points
2. Attending the TFSC New Faculty Lunch discussions - 10 points each
3. Attending the U of A Summer Teaching Camp - 40 points
4. Participating in other TFSC sponsored or supported events - 10 points each
   (Baum Workshop, Winter Teaching Symposium, TIPS Teaching Lunches, Cordes Chair Events). Note: The Bridge Program events are not co-sponsored by the TFSC and do not count towards the commendation because they offer their own award recognition.

Event points for the year begin with New Faculty Orientation and end with Teaching Camp. Points do not carry forward to future years.

First-year faculty with 105 points or higher will be awarded the New Faculty Commendation for Teaching Commitment.

Second-year faculty with 90 points or higher will be awarded the New Faculty Commendation for Teaching Commitment.

The commendation will be signed by the U of A Provost.

All commendations will be presented at the annual Faculty Teaching Awards Reception in September.

"Not So New" Faculty Commendation for Teaching Development

Faculty with more than two years of service at the U of A will be eligible. Commendations will be presented based upon participation in and reflection of activities to improve teaching and learning. The commendation will be framed and signed by U of A Provost and will be presented to all recipients at the annual Faculty Teaching Awards Reception. Faculty events and programs sponsored by the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center or events sponsored by the U of A Teaching Academy to improve teaching and learning and student success are emphasized.

Self-evaluation incorporates many components and opportunities for learning, feedback, reflection and adjustment. By participating in multiple types of activities related to teaching and reviewing how those activities inform teaching and learning in a faculty member's own practice, one can improve his or her teaching for the end goal of improving student learning and success. Thus, this commendation has been developed to recognize and celebrate the faculty who take the time and effort to be introspective and actively transform their teaching for improved student learning.

1. Faculty must teach at least two U of A classes each academic year (July 1 through June 30).
2. Faculty must participate in enough events to accumulate 100 points for the academic year.
3. Faculty who wish to be considered are required to submit a Professional Development Reflection packet to the TFSC by June 30 to include the following:
   1. Teaching philosophy
   2. A list of all events/activities attended (including date of event and title) and points accumulated for each
   3. A written reflection on how events/activities have impacted your teaching philosophy or pedagogical approaches. What outcomes have you observed in student learning and success? What new or innovative changes have you made in the classroom?

Criteria for Possible Points:

1. Attending TFSC sponsored teaching programs (Faculty Lunches, Wally Cordes Chair, TIPS Teaching Lunch) - 10 pts. each
2. Attending ½-day workshops (Baum Workshop, Winter Teaching Symposium) - 20 pts. each
3. Attending the U of A Summer Teaching Camp - 20 pts.
4. Presenting at TFSC sponsored or co-sponsored teaching programs (Faculty Lunches, Teaching Camp, Winter Teaching Symposium, TIPS workshops, Cordes Chair Events, Winter Teaching Symposium) - 20 pts. each
5. Submitting a TFSC Teaching Grant proposal - 10 pts. (Limit of one)
6. Peer classroom observation (observed or observer) - 10 pts. (Limit of one)
7. Non-TFSC affiliated professional development activity - 20 pts. (Limit of one)
   (e.g., scholarship of teaching publication or presentation, leading a teaching seminar, leading a workshop)