Merit-Based Prizes

This prize is broken down into the categories below:

• Best M.Ed Graduating Paper. Submit the following materials: cover letter showing the significance of your work, one nomination letter, and a one page summary (12pt. font, Times New Roman, 1” margins, single space) of your graduating paper.

• Best MA Thesis. Submit the following materials: cover letter showing the significance of your work, one nomination letter, and a one page summary (12pt. font, Times New Roman, 1” margins, single space) of your thesis.

• Outstanding Service in the Department (1 Doctoral, 1 Masters). Submit the following materials: cover letter highlighting your service work, one nomination letter, and a curriculum vitae detailing your service work.

Selection Criteria

Winners for the M.Ed Graduating Paper and MA Thesis are selected on the basis of nomination (from faculty members) and academic merit. Winners of the Service Awards are selected on the basis of nomination (from faculty members and students) and the strength of the record of service. Students do not apply for this prize unless nominated. Nominees must be full-time students to receive these awards.

Prizes total $2,100* (divided among four winners).

• Best M.Ed Graduating Paper (part-time students): Submit the following materials: cover letter showing the significance of your work, one nomination letter, and a one page summary (12pt. font, Times New Roman, 1” margins, single space) of your graduating paper. Prize of $300*.

Winners for the M.Ed Graduating Paper (part-time students) are selected on the basis of nomination (from faculty members) and academic merit. Nominees must be part-time students to receive this prize. Students do not apply for this prize unless nominated by faculty.

A $5,500* scholarship has been endowed by the the Language and Literacy Education alumni, and the family and friends of Dr. Mary Ashworth, Professor Emerita of Language Education, and founder of the TESL undergraduate and graduate programs at UBC, who passed away on January 20, 2009. The scholarship is offered to an outstanding master’s or doctoral student in the Faculty of Education who is focusing on teaching English as a Second Language. The award is made on the recommendation of the Department of Language and Literacy Education in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

A $450* prize has been endowed by friends and family in memory of Dr. Ann Hawson (Ph.D.-LLED, 1997), who passed away in 1998, for a graduate student who has achieved a high standing in Language Education. The award is made on the recommendation of the Faculty of Education.

To commemorate Dr. Hawson’s research, which was interdisciplinary and innovative, the prize acknowledges the best PhD/MA thesis in MLED and TESL that demonstrates an interdisciplinary or innovative approach to research in second language education/learning in the previous calendar year (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.).

Since Dr. Hawson was a Ph.D. student in MLED, preference will be given to Ph.D. and MLED students.

A scholarship has been endowed by Dr. Wendy K. Sutton, a specialist in children’s literature and a dedicated educator, for an Education graduate student whose scholarly work advances the understanding and practice of early childhood literacy, with priority given to those focusing on the preschool years. The award is made on the recommendation of the Faculty of Education, in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Eligibility

1. To be eligible for these UBC-administered awards (scholarships and prizes), students must be a UBC-V Faculty of Education full-time graduate student. Magistral students on the part-time fee payment schedule (Schedule B) are not eligible to apply. To be eligible, Magistral students must be on the full-time fee payment schedule (Schedule A). All Doctoral students are on a full-time fee payment schedule.

2. To be eligible to apply, students must have been officially registered in the Faculty of Education at UBC-V in the last academic year AND the current academic year. Students who were On Leave or On Financial Hold during last academic year and/or the current academic year are not eligible to apply.

How to Apply

Students must prepare an application package to apply for awards as described below. Application packages should include:

1. Award Cover Sheet- Graduate students must complete the Award Cover Sheet. The Award Cover Sheets ask for program and contact information, provide terms of reference for awards and also provide a checklist to assist graduate students with ensuring all their supporting documentation is included in application packages they submit to their academic units.

2. Student Statement- For each application package, graduate students must submit a 250-word statement in which they clearly explain how they meet the criteria for this award. Student statements must be 250 words maximum, double-spaced, and in Arial 12 font.

3. Reference Letter- Students must submit a sealed reference letter, or the reference letter can be emailed to the Head’s Assistant directly, from an Education faculty member addressing how you meet the award criteria with their application package.

4. Graduate Student CV- Graduate students must download and include a separate graduate student CV template for each application package they are submitting. Separate CVs are needed for the separate application packages.

5. Transcripts- Students must submit all post-baccalaureate transcripts (including UBC transcripts). Certified department copies are acceptable. Contact the Graduate Program Assistant in your department if you have questions about obtaining certified copies.

A $300* prize endowed as a memorial to Stella Shopland by her friends and associates, serves to mark the esteem and affection in which she was held by her colleagues and students. In tribute to her special interest in children’s literature, this prize is awarded to an undergraduate in the Faculty of Education who achieves distinction and who uses children’s literature in an effective and imaginative manner during the practicum.

A $1,600* prize has been endowed by Barbara Mikulec, B.Ed. (Elementary), ’69, for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education. This prize is offered to students whose teaching practicum demonstrates success in teaching English as an additional language

A $500* prize has been endowed by friends, family and colleagues in memory of Bill Davison (1943-2004) for an outstanding Bachelor of Education (Secondary) student in Language and Literacy Education. As an English instructor at UBC, Bill left a profound legacy through his commitment to inspiring student teachers to bring language and literature into their classrooms.

A book prize valued at $110* has been endowed in memory of George Brooks White by his family in recognition of his dedication to the teaching of English. This award is for the highest ranking student in the field of Secondary English (Methods and Practice Teaching).

A $4,100* scholarship was endowed by Marie Josephine Kendall in honour of her sister. This scholarship is offered to BEDE/BEDM or BEDS students excelling in English or Language Arts Education.