College of Arts and Sciences

In 1988, The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) instituted the Academy of Outstanding Teachers and the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award to recognize excellence in teaching.

Eligibility

Current full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty who have taught in CAS for at least two full years and current non-tenure track faculty (teaching 3 or more hours per year) who have taught in CAS for at least four consecutive semesters are eligible. Eligible nominees may have been instructors of record lecture class(es), seminar(s) or lab(s) at any level.

Recognition

Appointees to the Academy of Outstanding Teachers and the Outstanding Teachers of the Year will receive a medallion and certificate presented at the CAS Awards event. In addition, the Outstanding Tenure-Track Teacher of the Year and the Outstanding Non-Tenure-Track Teacher of the Year will each receive up to $1,000 in supplemental pay (subject to deduction of all pertinent taxes). 

Nominations

All faculty, staff and alumni are eligible to submit nominations. Additionally, Appalachian State University students may submit a nomination as long as they are not currently enrolled in the nominee's class.

Nomination Process

To nominate a faculty member for this award, please complete the nomination form linked below. Nominations should describe how the nominee has displayed the following:

• Ability to impart knowledge, inquisitiveness and the desire for continued learning;

• Competence and command of the subject matter;

• Concern for students' intellectual growth and personal development;

• Enthusiasm for the subject matter and for teaching it.

CAS will contact nominees to request the following additional materials:

1. A statement of teaching philosophy (up to 500 words);

2. An updated curriculum vitae;

3. Course syllabi from up to two courses;

4. Student evaluations from the classes that correspond with the syllabi in item 3, above;

5. Up to two recent peer and or Chair reviews;

6. Up to two examples of innovative assignments or projects, in-class and out-of-class activities as well as a statement of teaching philosophy.

Note: All supporting documentation must be uploaded in ONE pdf.

Selection of Awardees

The Outstanding Teachers/Academy Award Committee reviews the applications and makes a recommendation to the Dean of CAS. The Committee is composed of the most recent Outstanding TT Teacher of the Year Award recipient, the most recent Outstanding NTT Teacher of the Year recipient, two additional TT faculty members, and two additional NTT faculty members. The committee should include representation from mathematics/natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities disciplines. The most recent award recipients serve as co-Chairs. The TT faculty on the committee review the TT nominations and make recommendations of up to 3 TT faculty for the Academy of Outstanding Teachers, the NTT faculty on the committee review the NTT nominees and make recommendations of up to 3 NTT faculty for the Academy of Outstanding Teachers. The entire committee then collectively recommends TT and NTT Teachers of the Year from among those recommended for the Academy of Outstanding Teachers. All letters of nomination are kept on file and nominated faculty are eligible for up to two years.

Previous Outstanding Teachers of the Year Award Recipients