Award Criteria
USEA award recipients should embody these core values and this is what the review committee will be looking for when reviewing nominees.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Award recipients cultivate a more equitable and inclusive place for learning and discovery for students, educators, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds.
- Innovation in STEM Education: Award recipients have innovated in their respective domains that have resulted in significant positive impacts for UTeach and their local community.
- Service and Leadership: Award recipients have a demonstrated record of outstanding service and leadership within their UTeach program, community, classroom, etc.
- Excellence in STEM Education: Award recipients are leaders in STEM education and creating an environment that supports students’ success and fosters learning.
See below for more details on criteria for each award.
Eligibility
Personnel from any USEA UTeach program that has paid its annual dues and have a minimum of three years’ experience in the appropriate program position for the award are eligible.
UTeach program graduates currently employed by a K-12 school or district, with at least three years' experience as an educator, are eligible for the USEA Alumni Award.
Haven’t received a USEA award within the past 5 years.
Not eligible: active USEA Executive Board Members.
Documentation Required
With the nomination, submit a short description of why the individual is being nominated, including examples of how the nominee meets the criteria. Though it is not required for the nominee to meet all of the listed criteria for a given award, evidence of success on multiple criteria is strongly encouraged.
After nominations are received, USEA will contact the nominees and request that they each submit a narrative (limited to 500 words) summarizing their accomplishments related to UTeach and/or USEA. The narrative should include why UTeach and/or USEA is important to them. Nominees must also submit a current curriculum vitae.
Examples for Demonstrating Award Criteria
Outstanding Master Teacher Award
For demonstrated excellence in the role of UTeach Master Teacher, the heart of UTeach programs.
Evidence can include (but is not limited to):
- Demonstrated innovation(s) in teaching STEM education research-based learning strategies
- Demonstrated successful application of UTeach courses
- Active membership in state or national science/math teaching associations (e.g., NCTM, NSTA, NABT, etc.)
- Active participation in state or national science/math teaching conferences
- Active involvement in taking students to national/state teaching conferences for participation in presentations and posters
- Demonstrated leadership within the UTeach community through committee work with the UTeach Institute, presentations at UTeach conferences or Master Teacher retreats, or other appropriate activities
- Active, successful work with districts, schools, and/or STEM teachers for mentoring of UTeach students
- Demonstrated leadership and participation in STEM outreach activities within the university, local community, statewide community, or national community
- Demonstrated scholarly activity in STEM education research
Outstanding Staff Member Award
For demonstrated excellence in a UTeach staff support role.
Evidence can include (but is not limited to):
- Demonstrated strong support for students through advising, materials management, office management, and/or administrative management
- Demonstrated excellence or innovation in program support through advising, materials management, office management, and/or administrative management
- Demonstrated excellence or innovation in recruitment of students into the program
Outstanding Alumni Award
For demonstrated excellence as an alumnus of a UTeach program.
Evidence can include (but is not limited to):
- Demonstrated excellence in implementation of UTeach and/or STEM education research-based teaching strategies in the classroom
- Demonstrated excellence in the implementation of technologies in the classroom that support student success and foster student learning
- Active involvement in the National UTeach Alumni Network
- Demonstrated leadership within the department, school, and/or district (e.g., mentoring new teachers, service on leadership teams, development of new instructional materials/curricular materials, leadership in professional development activities, mentoring of UTeach students)
- Active involvement in state and/or national STEM teaching associations (e.g., NCTM, NSTA, NABT, etc.)
- Presentations at state and/or national STEM teaching conferences
Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award
For demonstrated teaching excellence while in the role of a UTeach program faculty member. (Note: This award is for UTeach faculty who are not also Master Teachers.)
Evidence can include (but is not limited to):
- Demonstrated innovation(s) in teaching STEM education research-based learning strategies
- Demonstrated successful application of UTeach courses
- Promotion of collegiality between College of Education and College of Science (or equivalent) through cross-college committee work and/or other appropriate activities
- Demonstrated leadership and participation in STEM outreach activities within the university, local, state, and/or national arenas
- Demonstrated record of outstanding service to campus UTeach program
- Development of successful courses for UTeach program students
- Development of successful courses and/or degree programs for STEM majors that aid UTeach program students in completion of their major and progress toward earning certification
Outstanding Faculty Scholar Award
For demonstrated excellence in scholarly activities while in the role of a UTeach faculty member. (Note: This award is for UTeach faculty who are not also Master Teachers.)
Evidence can include (but is not limited to):
- Promotion of collegiality between College of Education and College of Science (or equivalent) through cross-college committee work and/or other appropriate activities
- Demonstrated leadership and participation in STEM outreach activities within the university, local, state, and/or national arenas
- Demonstrated record of outstanding service to campus UTeach program
- Publications in peer-reviewed national and international journals that contribute to the knowledge base about successful implementation of UTeach strategies
- Publications in peer-reviewed national and international journals that contribute to the knowledge base about successful teacher preparation strategies
- Publications in peer-reviewed national and/or international journals that contribute to the knowledge base about successful instruction in STEM
- Strong track record with grant programs related to the advancement of STEM education
USEA Special Award
Outstanding achievement or contributions to STEM education or the work of the UTeach network. (Note: This award can be given to individuals or to organizations and is given at the discretion of the USEA awards committee.)
Evidence can include (but is not limited to):
- Outstanding service in STEM education advocacy
- Outstanding service in UTeach program advocacy
- Outstanding service to the financial support of STEM education or UTeach programs
- Outstanding service in the public policy arena
- Outstanding service to STEM education teachers
- Outstanding service in STEM teacher preparation
- Outstanding service in other areas of STEM education or related to UTeach programs
USEA President’s Award(s)
Awards determined by the USEA President on an annual basis for recognition of contributions to STEM education, the UTeach network, or USEA.