Din Lal Teaching Assistant Award

Nature of Award

Each year, the Department of Chemistry of Queen's University shall honor seven teaching assistants who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the education of undergraduate chemistry students of Queen's University.

These awards are presented to Teaching Assistants in the following areas:

1st Year Chemistry TA Awards

Two Awards valued at $500 each, will be awarded to the Laboratory Teaching Assistants in 1st year courses who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the education of chemistry students in FIRST year laboratory chemistry 

One award, valued at $500, will be awarded to the Tutorial Teaching Assistant in a 1st year course who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the education of chemistry students in a tutorial setting.

2nd Year Chemistry TA Awards

Two awards, valued at $500 each, will be awarded to Laboratory Teaching Assistants in 2nd year courses who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the education of chemistry students in a laboratory setting.

One award, valued at $500, will be awarded to the Tutorial Teaching Assistant in a 2nd year course who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the education of chemistry students in a tutorial setting.

Nomination Criteria

In order to be eligible for the Award, each TA must be a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry at Queen’s University and nominated by chemistry students and/or a chemistry professor at Queen's University. Eligible candidates will be TAs who directly contributes to the learning experience of undergraduate students, such as through leadership of tutorial sessions, labs or individual student academic assistance. A TA is eligible to receive one Award in any specific academic year.

Nomination Procedure

Nominations will be made in the following way:

• Students will have an opportunity to nominate their TA by completing an online TA nomination form or a written form prepared by the professor in charge of the course for which the graduate student is a TA. This evaluation should contain persuasive and compelling reasons why the TA deserves special recognition. The name of the TA and courses taught by the TA must be included in the nomination document.

• Professors who have worked with a TA may also write a letter of support for any nominee or voice their support in a selection committee meeting.

Selection Process

Each of the Awards for Excellence in Teaching Assistance will be determined by a committee consisting of the TA Assignment Committee (TAAC), one graduate representative and the President of the DSC. The Committee will review all nomination packages and determine Award winning Teaching Assistants by taking into consideration all information received from both students and professors. All decisions are final.

Presentation of Award

Winners of each of the Teaching Assistant Awards will receive the Department of Chemistry Award for Excellence in Teaching Assistance at the Teaching Assistant Professional Activity Day in September of the following academic year. Each award will consist of a certificate presented by the Department of Chemistry and a $500 cash award.

Past Winners

      2011 - 2012 Fern McSorley
      2010 - 2011 Gurpaul Kochhar
      2009 - 2010 Elize Ceschia
      2008 - 2009 Adam Daley
      2007 - 2008 Klaus Bescherer
      2006 - 2007 John Dupont
      2005 - 2006 Scott Curda
      2004 - 2005 Andrew Munro
      2003 - 2004 Sergei Manzhos