Teaching Excellence Award for Open Communication and Assessment
This award recognizes educators who exemplify transparency, trust, and effective communication in teaching and learning. Recipients demonstrate how they establish clear expectations, provide timely and constructive feedback, and foster a shared understanding between educators and students that promotes continuous growth and academic success.
| Category | Exemplary Evidence (4 pts) | Strong Evidence (3 pts) | Some Evidence (2 pts) | Minimal Evidence (1 pt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching Philosophy and Reflection (20%) | Clearly articulates communication and assessment as central to learning success; demonstrates transparent expectations, responsive communication, and timely feedback; reflection shows use of student/peer input and continuous improvement grounded in evidence-based frameworks. | Emphasizes clear communication and feedback with relevant examples; reflection notes how strategies support learning but is somewhat limited. | Mentions communication or feedback generally with few concrete examples or reflective linkage. | Minimal discussion of communication or assessment; reflection is vague or purely descriptive. |
| Teaching Materials and Practices (35%) | Materials exemplify transparency and trust-building (clear criteria, rubrics, timelines); feedback tools are timely, actionable, and clearly explained; annotations show alignment with this award's focus. | Materials show strong transparency and consistent feedback opportunities; expectations are generally clear. | Some transparency or feedback elements present but not integrated or consistently explained. | Materials lack clarity in expectations or feedback; limited evidence of transparent design. |
| Evidence of Student Impact (35%) | Compelling, varied evidence (reflections, surveys, outcomes) shows improved clarity, confidence, and engagement due to communication and feedback practices. | Multiple examples indicate positive impact on understanding and performance tied to communication/assessment strategies. | Some anecdotal or partial evidence of improved understanding, but links to practices are weak. | Minimal or unclear evidence of impact from communication or feedback practices. |
| Innovation and Growth (10%) | Demonstrates leadership and innovation (e.g., mentoring peers, presenting on transparent assessment); reflection shows ongoing refinement with new tools/practices. | Shows growth via feedback loops and improved communication strategies. | Notes adaptation or reflection but with limited examples. | Minimal evidence of reflection, innovation, or iteration. |
