Dean’s Award for Career Teaching Excellence
AY 14-15 Nomination Guidance
Purpose: This award recognizes careers of outstanding contributions to teaching by West Point
faculty members. Recipients receive recognition at the May Academic Luncheon and the Fall
Academic Convocation.
Eligibility: All USMA faculty who have six years or more of teaching experience at the college
level, whether at West Point or at another institution of higher learning.
Selection criteria: The Selection Committee (composed of Dean’s Faculty Award Committee
members) assesses the applicants based on the following criteria:
1) The faculty member develops and fosters exceptional cadet engagement in course material.
Considerations for these criteria include, but are not limited to, the following: the quality of
delivery of classroom instruction; the cadets’ respect for the faculty member, each other, and
the course material; the quality of cadet discussion; exceptional cadet achievement.
2) The faculty member inspires lifelong learning skills and serves as a role model for both
students and colleagues. Considerations for these criteria include, but are not limited to, the
following: inspiring independent study/reading to enhance learning; stimulating ideas about
continued learning; sharing additional information to foster interest and learning; sustained
pattern of engaging in discussions that promote learning beyond the classroom.
3) Makes constructive contributions to the curriculum, via a substantive impact on courses or
programs. Considerations for these criteria include, but are not limited to, the following:
assessing, designing, developing, and/or improving a course or program; contributing to an
integrative or inter-disciplinary experience; assessing courses or programs and implementing
changes based on feedback.
4) Develops fellow faculty members through engagement in teaching. Considerations for these
criteria include, but are not limited to, the following: observes classes and provides
feedback; invites others to observe classes and discuss teaching techniques; engages in new
instructor orientation programs; serves as a mentor in the Master Teaching Program; initiates
and leads discussions related to teaching.
Selection Procedure:
The Dean of the Academic Board selects the Award recipient, based on the Faculty Awards’
Committee’s nomination. The Committee makes recommendations to the Dean based on
submissions received in accordance with the announced submission criteria.
Submission deadline for this academic year’s award is 1600 hours, Monday, 9 March 2015.
Format:
Department Heads should submit nominations electronically to COL Tania Chacho, Faculty
Awards Committee Chair, by 9 March 2015. The nomination consists of:

Department Head Nominating Letter. No more than three single-spaced pages (using
standard 1” margins and Times New Roman 10 point font) discussing how the candidate
fosters exceptional cadet engagement, inspires lifelong learning skills, makes
constructive contributions to the curriculum, and develops fellow faculty members. It
should also include:
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
Name of nominee
Department
Academic rank
Number of years teaching at collegiate level (not including TA time)
Candidate Teaching Philosophy. No more than two single-spaced pages (using
standard 1” margins and Times New Roman 10 point font) from the candidate containing
thoughts on teaching.
The Awards Committee also conducts a student survey of faculty candidates, and this input
comprises the final portion of the packet.