Graduate Teaching Award for Course Support
Eligibility
Every Rice graduate student who assisted an Instructor of Record in the Fall of 2023, Spring of 2024, or the Summer of 2024 is eligible for the 2025 Graduate Teaching Award for Course Support. This award was designed to recognize graduate students who distinguish themselves in the course support they provide to an Instructor of Record. The focus of this award is on substantive contributions to design and/or delivery of an undergraduate course. Examples of course support include, but are not limited to, contributions to the design of the syllabus, individual assignments, or the delivery of in-class lessons and activities.To be considered, graduate students must provide contact information for the Instructor of Record who will be able to describe the support offered by the applicant.
Timeline
October 15th — First-Round Applications Due (submit application via the link below)
December 5 — Finalists Selected; Candidates Notified
February 1 — Instructor of Record Letter of Support Due (submit via link provided by email)
March 10 — Winner Selected; Candidates Notified
April 24, 2025 — Winner Honored at University Awards Ceremony
Application Form
Applications are due no later than 11:59PM and deadlines are listed under the timeline.
The initial application should include the following three items to be considered complete:
- A completed application form
- A summary of the following areas (1-2 paragraphs per area), attached to the application form:
- Brief statement of teaching philosophy
- Description of course, learning outcomes, and students
- Description of contribution to course design and/or delivery
- Example(s) of evidence-based practices
- Evidence of impact (e.g., changes in student learning and engagement, students' responses)
- Contact information for the course Instructor of Record who will be able to describe the support you offered. We strongly recommend that you contact the Instructor of Record first to make sure they are willing to support your application.
Please submit your response as a single PDF file using this file name format: Lastname_Firstname_course_support.pdf
If you are selected as a finalist, we will ask the instructor of record to submit a letter in support of your application. They will have until 11:59PM to submit their letter through a link provided in the notification email.
Review of Application Materials
We recognize that the support you offered depends on your disciplinary context and the role you had in the course. When evaluating your application, the committee will look for evidence of contributions that went above and beyond standard TA responsibilities, had an impact on student learning and/or engagement, and were grounded in evidence-based practices and your own teaching philosophy.
To apply, click the APPLY link, complete the application form, and attach your summary.