Teaching Excellence Awards

At Cape Breton University our faculty and teaching-staff are award-winning educators who are committed to life-long learning and to preparing their students to be innovative, problem solvers.  

Current CBU Teaching Chairs:

Dr. Jason Loxton, Senior Lab Technologist, Geology, in the School of Science & Technology, is the University Teaching Chair in Student Engagement and Knowledge Translation.

 

 

Dr. Chris MacDonald, Associate Professor, Ethnomusicology, Cultural & Creative Studies, Folklore and Ethnomusicology, in the School of Arts and Social Sciences is our University Teaching Chair in Diversity, Inclusion and Equity in University Teaching and Learning.

 

CBU Teaching Chairs Program Information

In 2017 Cape Breton University’s Centre for Teaching & Learning launched a University Teaching Chairs program. At this time, we seek up to TWO Chairs in any two of the following areas:

  • Teaching Chair in Globalizing University Teaching and Learning
  • Teaching Chair in Indigenizing University Teaching and Learning
  • Teaching Chair in Engaging External Partnerships in University Teaching and Learning
  • Teaching Chair in Innovation in Teaching Spaces and Resources
  • Open Call: Applicant should propose a theme area

TERM: Two-year term appointment to commence July 2019.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 4, 2019

DECISION: Early February, 2019.

Teaching Chairs are tenured, tenure-track or continuing faculty who have demonstrated teaching excellence and a desire to advocate and support evidence-based university-wide teaching excellence.

The goal of these Chairs is three-fold: to provide faculty leadership in the development of a community of practice in the area of teaching and learning; to provide peer support to faculty members who wish to develop their research and practice in the area of pedagogy; and to engage in and share scholarship of teaching and learning research and best-practices across the university community and beyond.

Fostering the culture of teaching and learning excellence at Cape Breton University.

Championing teaching & learning best practices in on-campus, online, and community classroom spaces.

Contributing to the scholarship of teaching and learning across the Schools and College.

As identified by the Dean and Assistant Dean of RTGS and in consultation with the Chair, specific duties can include tasks such as*:

  • Assisting the CTL team in teaching and learning development, implementation and assessment.
  • Developing strategic plans for the implementation of teaching excellence at CBU.
  • Organizing and assisting in the delivery of teaching and learning workshops, talks, retreats and programs.
  • Assisting with individual consultation and classroom observations with faculty members.
  • Providing mentorship for small groups of faculty.
  • Engaging in teaching and learning research (including action research) and disseminating such research to the CBU community as well as at Teaching and Learning conferences.
  • Representing CBU on university, regional and national, and international teaching and learning committees and associations (e.g. Association of Atlantic Universities Faculty Development Committee, Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, etc.).

*These are intended to be examples of the types of duties. No one Chair would be expected to take on all these duties.

The theme areas were selected to align with the CBU Strategic Plan. Decisions regarding the themes were made by the Dean and Assistant Dean of RTGS in consultation with the CTL staff.

2 years

Three-credit course release per year determined in consultation with School Dean and VPA. Please note that this three-credit course release may not be held in conjunction with any other teaching releases.

Annual research grant of $2000 for the duration of the Chair to conduct and disseminate Scholarship of Teaching & Learning research (total; $4000).

Applicants will submit the following SEPARATE documents:

  1. An outline of an activity plan to be carried out through the duration of the chair with evidence of alignment with the particular theme identified in the call and potential long term impacts for the CBU teaching culture. (2 pages)
  2. Philosophy of teaching. (1-2 pages)
  3. Evidence of teaching excellence with examples of innovative practices (sample course outlines activities, assessment materials should be included as appendices). (1-2 pages)
  4. Examples of participation, contribution and leadership in teaching and learning development. (1 page)
  5. Curriculum Vitae. (CV can be abridged to include information relevant to this call)
  6. Letter of support from School/College Dean.

NOTE: if while working on your application you wish to save it and return to it later, click SAVE. You will receive an email confirming it has been saved and a link to return to your application.

Also, Internet Explorer is recommended when working in SharePoint

If you have submission questions, please contact Terry MacDonald.

Based on the materials submitted, the candidate will be considered for a Chair dependent on their alignment and proven excellence in teaching in the theme area. Proposals that align with CBU’s strategic directions, mission, vision and values will be given priority.

  • Dean, Research, Teaching and Graduate Studies
  • Assistant Dean, RTGS (faculty member)
  • Lead Educational Developer (CTL staff)
  • Chair, TLEC (faculty member)
  • One School Dean (appointed by VPA)
  • Up to 2 current University Teaching Chair (if their availability allows)
  • Representative of Unama’ki College or the Purdy Crawford Chair in Aboriginal Business