Initial Publication Date: August 30, 2022

Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awards

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Jump down to: Award Recipients | Make a Nomination

The Award

NAGT recognizes outstanding teaching assistants in geoscience education with up to 30 awards annually. Both undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants are eligible for the award. Award winners receive a one-year membership in NAGT, which includes an online subscription to the Journal of Geoscience Education and our In The Trenches quarterly magazine. The undergraduate student awards are the gift of Thomas Hendrix, Grand Valley State University. Tom was the recipient of the 1994 Neil Miner award. He also served as President of NAGT and as editor of the Journal of Geoscience Education. The graduate student awards are funded by NAGT.

Want to learn more about some of the recent Outstanding TA Award recipients? Be sure to check out the January and April 2023 editions of In the Trenches, NAGT's member journal for Earth educators. You will need to be logged into your member account to access these links. Not a member yet? Consider joining today!

Award Recipients

2025 Recipients

January Award

  • Marcus Burgher, Furman University
  • William Cummings, Clemson University
  • Jordan Deane, University of Regina
  • James Genero, Central Washington University
  • Jacqueline Giblin, Arizona State University
  • Kaitlyn Ponce, Cabrillo College
  • America Sanchez, Cabrillo College
  • Taylor Slyker, Central Michigan University
  • Brooke Vander Pas, Indiana University, Indianapolis
  • Wilnelly Ventura-Valentín, Miami University

Past Recipients

Make a Nomination

Nominations must be submitted by an instructor familiar with the TA's instruction; for example, a department chair, someone coordinating teaching assistants, or another instructor of record. The committee recognizes that departments may refer to students using different titles, including instructional or supplemental assistant. The intent of this award is to recognize students responsible for their teaching work, regardless of their formal title. For students who may be graduating or recently graduated, nominations should be received no more than 12 months following their graduation date. If you have any questions about whether or not a student is eligible for this award, please reach out to the committee chair or the SERC staff listed below.

A nomination letter should include:

  • The name, address and class year of the nominee
  • The name of the course or courses in which the student assisted
  • A description of the activities and qualities that make this teaching assistant outstanding

Nominees will be evaluated holistically using the following criteria, though excellence in all criteria is neither expected nor required. Undergraduate and graduate student nominations will be evaluated separately.

  • Experience (For graduate students, two or more semesters will be valued favorably.)
  • Knowledge and application of evidence-based pedagogies (e.g. active learning)
  • Initiative to improve the course through an innovation or contribution
  • Attentiveness and responsiveness to fostering inclusive learning environments
  • Ability to develop trust and rapport with students
  • Ability to effectively manage course administration and logistics (e.g. learning management software, communication and assessment)
  • Conveys their own passion for geoscience and inspires it in others
  • Supports fellow educators by promoting a positive culture around teaching and learning

Nomination Deadlines: December 15th and June 15th

Nomination letters may be submitted by using our online nomination form or by sending them to our office:

NAGT - TA Award Nomination
c/o Carleton College/SERC
One North College Street
Northfield, MN 55057

Questions can be directed to Rebeccah Bradley.