Impactful Education: Teaching Award

This student-nominated teaching award celebrates any faculty member (tenured/non-tenured/sessional) or a preceptor who enhances the undergraduate and/or graduate nursing student experience by sharing knowledge with their students in an engaging and respectful manner.

They encourage students to be curious, pose questions, foster personal and academic growth and navigate change.

Nomination Process

Nominations are welcomed from any University of Calgary Nursing undergraduate/graduate student. The nominee must agree to the nomination.

A completed nomination form must be accompanied by one signed letter of reference and speak directly to the criteria. The letter may be from the nominator.

Only completed nominations will be accepted (see the nomination form for details). If your nomination is missing any of the supporting documentation, it will be returned to you for completion if there is time. 

Use Criteria with Examples

We strongly encourage you to explicitly incorporate the criteria of the specific award with clear examples for each criteria when writing your letter of nomination or support. This not only assists you, as nominator/referee, to highlight the important and relevant attributes of your nominee, it gives the selection committee very clear details about the qualifications of the candidate with examples of their achievements and enhances the overall nomination.

Please Reference the Correct Award and Category

We know many people are asked to submit letters of support for deserving nominees for a UCalgary Nursing Spark Award. We also recognize that many of you write multiple letters for the same person for different awards. We, therefore, ask you to please carefully proofread your letter so that you are making reference to supporting your nominee for a Spark Award ONLY (not a U Make a Difference, a President’s Award for Excellence in Student Leadership, etc).

While referring to another award may not disqualify your candidate, it does not reflect positively on your commitment to the nomination for a UCalgary Nursing Spark Award.

• Nomination/supporting letter must come from current undergraduate or graduate students

• Displays authenticity, inclusivity, compassion and respect toward students as well as a regard to their wellbeing and mental health

• Shows an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter which is taught in a creative, engaging, innovative and stimulating way
• Promotes a positive student experience through their support and approachability and fosters a sense of belonging in which everyone can thrive