The Physics Department is pleased to announce the Leigh Page Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching, a new annual departmental graduate teaching award. The award seeks to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in graduate student teaching, distinct among the already high standard of teaching that graduate students in the physics department consistently achieve. This award will support the graduate program learning goal that “Students will become educators and communicators with the ability to promote an understanding and appreciation of physics across the university and in society” and help solidify in our community that effective and informed teaching is one of our core values.
Award Description: This is an annual award given by the Physics Department to one or two physics graduate students for excellence in teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level, and/or significant teaching contributions to scientific outreach or public education events. Recipients of the teaching award will receive a $500 prize.
Eligibility:
- Any student who has completed their required teaching for the physics graduate program is eligible for nomination.
- Non-physics graduate students who have completed their teaching requirement and have had a positive impact on the physics department and teaching physics courses are eligible for nomination
- Given the selection criteria below and the high level of teaching excellence of our graduate students, the most competitive nominations will demonstrate consistent excellence in teaching physics over the course of their time in graduate school, rather than a few semesters.
Selection Criteria: Excellence in teaching is based on the following criteria, where applicable:
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Establishing an inclusive classroom environment, providing support and flexibility so that all students can thrive.
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Inspiring students to develop the habits and skills of independent thinking and scientific inquiry and engagement.
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Enthusiasm for the craft and practice of teaching, with a focus on continuous development and consistent improvement
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Demonstrated leadership/mentorship of peer educators and encouragement of effective teaching in others
Nomination Process: Nomination letters may be sent by faculty or staff members from teaching or outreach programs, and graduate students are encouraged to self nominate. The graduate team encourages supporting letters that together with the nomination letter can demonstrate the breadth of the nominee’s teaching experience and expertise. Please send nomination and supporting letters to Rona Ramos (rona.ramos@yale.edu), by March 28, 2025. Letters should address the relevant selection criteria above. The Graduate Student Awards Committee will review applications and select recipients. Awards are presented in the fall during the orientation program for new graduate students.
If you have any questions about the award, please email rona.ramos@yale.edu.
AWARD WINNERS
2023 - John Garmon and Jospeh Lap
2022 - Lauren Saunders and Sohan Vartak
2021 - Emma Castiglia and Luna Zagorac