San Jose State University : Department of English & Comparative Literature

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Dorothy Wright Teaching Awards


The Dorothy Wright Outstanding Teaching Awards were established in 1987 as a memorial to a former member of the Department of English who distinguished herself for her commitment to teacher education. Professor Wright taught at San Jose State for 30 years before retiring in 1987.

What gives the award its unique character is that its recipients are nominated by former students. To identify worthy candidates, the English Department circulates questionnaires in its freshman composition courses, asking students to identify those teachers who best prepared them for their college writing courses (see questionnaire below). Hundreds of the questionnaires are collected and tabulated; then the award recipients are honored in a campus ceremony--usually in early May--attended by the English Department faculty, students, and other members of the university community.

The English Department at San Jose University considers it a privilege to sponsor the Dorothy Wright Awards, not only because many of its recipients are former graduates of its program, but because the program allows it to make the acquaintance of many of the most inspiring members of the area's educational community. The success of the English Department's own program rests upon the dedication and idealism of the area's English teachers. The Dorothy Wright Awards, therefore, honor not only the recipients but all teachers engaged in our common enterprise.

To nominate your teacher, please fill out this Student Questionnaire (Word document) and submit it to the English Department.

2008 Dorothy Wright Award Winners

(See what students wrote about these winning teachers [pdf])

2007 Dorothy Wright Award Winners

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