College of Science, Cal Poly PomonaIn 1999, the College of Science launched its inaugural Distinguished Teaching Award program. Designed to recognize and reward teaching excellence in the College of Science, the award also serves as a medium through which the honorees share their pedagogical approaches and enthusiasm for the educational process with their peers. The Distinguished Teaching Awards are presented during fall quarter at a symposium on teaching excellence, at which time the awardees each give a 30 to 50 minute presentation on their teaching techniques.
“Our faculty take special care to prepare our students to apply their science skills to solve real problems,” said College of Science dean Donald O. Straney. “The effectiveness of our faculty in the classroom is one of the key strengths of the College of Science.”
The award is extra-special because potential winners are nominated by their peers—faculty, staff, past and present students—and each nomination is accompanied by letters of support. Documenting evidence includes sample student course evaluations as well as a detailed substantiation of the nominee’s outstanding performance in teaching.
“Our faculty take teaching very seriously,” said Straney. “They not only want to recognize the accomplishments of their colleagues in the classroom, but also to share classroom strategies on how best to help students learn and apply knowledge gained in science-based courses.”
Nominations are reviewed by the Distinguished Teaching Award Selection Committee, which is comprised of one representative from each College of Science department as well as the honorees from the previous two years. The Selection Committee requests information from each nominee and from those familiar with the nominee’s teaching. On the basis of that information, the committee will submit its recommendations to the College of Science dean, along with a complete list of those nominated.
The Distinguished Teaching Awards will be given once a year to a maximum of two awardees.
