Initial Publication Date: August 30, 2022 | Revision: September 23, 2026
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Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awards

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Jump down to: Award Recipients | Nomination Process | Selection Process

The Award

NAGT recognizes outstanding teaching assistants in the geosciences with up to 30 awards annually. Both undergraduate and graduate students who have served in a teaching assistant capacity (e.g., instructional assistant, course assistant, teaching assistant) in the last 12 months are eligible for the award.

All Outstanding Teaching Assistant (OTA) Award recipients receive a one-year membership in NAGT through a gift from past-president Tom Hendrix. Beginning with the 2026-27 award cycle, OTA awardees will also receive $2000; these financial awards to recipients are funded through generous support from the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation's Earth Science Program. The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation supports innovative people working in field-based science, art and craft, teaching, and protection of the natural world.

See below for more information about the nomination and selection process, and nominate a TA today.  Not a member of NAGT yet? Consider joining today!

Award Recipients

2026 Recipients

June Award

  • Kaitlin Farrell, SUNY Oswego
  • McKayla Meier, University of Florida
  • Karina Ramirez, California State University, San Bernardino

January Award

  • Christopher Chalmers, University of California, Irvine
  • Annalee Chiaviello, Clemson University
  • Victoria Concepcíon, Arizona State University
  • Makinna Dulcich, Cabrillo College
  • Nandana Goswami, University of South Carolina
  • Dongyi Guo, Miami University, Ohio
  • Devina Kalika, CUNY Queens College
  • Jessie McCraw, University of Alabama
  • Michael Park, University of Minnesota, Duluth
  • J.D. Ross, University of South Carolina
  • Mysti Stotts, Tennessee Tech University
  • Rania Taib, CUNY Queens College
  • Benny Thoms-Warzecha, University of South Carolina
  • Cameron Tripp, University of Michigan
  • Olivia Viskupic, James Madison University
  • David Young, Central Washington University

Past Recipients

Nomination Process

The Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award committee accepts nominations for the OTA Awards to two deadlines annually: December 15 and June 15, designed to align with typical academic terms. For students who are graduating or recently graduated, nominations should be received no more than 12 months following their graduation date.

The nomination consists of a brief informational form and a letter. Nomination letters should be written by an instructor familiar with the TA's instruction; for example, a department chair, someone coordinating teaching assistants, or another instructor of record. The committee also welcomes letters signed by multiple nominators, if they are all familiar with the TA's work and provide unique perspectives.

The committee recognizes that departments may refer to students using different titles, including instructional or supplemental assistant. The intent of this award is to recognize students responsible for their teaching work, regardless of their formal title.  If you have any questions about eligibility for this award, please reach out to the committee chair.

Your nomination letter should include:

  • The name, address, and class year of the nominee
  • The name(s) of the course(s) in which the student assisted
  • A description of the activities and qualities that make this teaching assistant outstanding

Nomination Deadlines: December 15th and June 15th

Nomination letters should be submitted through our online nomination form.

Questions about the nomination form and process can be directed to Rebeccah Bradley.

Selection Process

Nominees will be evaluated holistically using the following criteria, though excellence in all criteria is neither expected nor required. Undergraduate and graduate student nominations will be evaluated separately.

  • Experience (For graduate students, two or more semesters will be valued favorably.)
  • Knowledge and application of evidence-based pedagogies (e.g. active learning)
  • Initiative to improve the course through an innovation or contribution
  • Attentiveness and responsiveness to fostering inclusive learning environments
  • Ability to develop trust and rapport with students
  • Ability to effectively manage course administration and logistics (e.g. learning management software, communication and assessment)
  • Conveys their own passion for geoscience and inspires it in others
  • Supports fellow educators by promoting a positive culture around teaching and learning

Note: Nominees who are not selected will stay in the queue for the following selection deadline. Nominators may submit additional information through the online nomination form if they wish to do so.