Prizes & Awards
The Teaching Award
award Amount
$500
2026 Nomination Deadline
June 1, 2026
Award Overview
$500 is awarded to a CLAH member whose teaching evidences significant contributions to the advancement of the study of the Caribbean and Latin American history in the United States.
The Teaching Award recognizes the pedagogical work that has been a central part of the CLAH’s mission since its foundation. Building on a syllabus prize overseen by the Teaching & Teaching Materials section over the previous years, the Teaching Award was established in 2024 to celebrate and share innovative, creative, and committed teaching by our members. It highlights classroom teaching as an integral piece of CLAH members’ intellectual work. The prize is awarded based on input from students and colleagues, syllabi and other teaching materials, and a teaching statement that highlights contributions to the teaching of Latin American history.
The award will be granted to those actively engaged in teaching Latin American history at any post-secondary level to recognize ongoing innovation and excellence in teaching. Nominees must have at least 2 years of teaching experience and be able to demonstrate the creativity, innovation, and success of their pedagogy through the materials submitted. Nominees can self-nominate or be nominated by their students or colleagues.
Applications will consist of a portfolio including the following materials:
1. A one- to two-page cover letter explaining the nominee’s contributions to the teaching of Latin American history, either in general or through the production of specific teaching material or tools. The letter should include references to the supporting teaching materials as appropriate.
2. Up to four pieces of supporting teaching material that support the cover letter, including but not limited to syllabi, assignments, activities, digital projects or tools, taped lectures, or other pedagogical offerings (any links to digital materials or media must be included alongside copies of other materials).
3. A curriculum vitae highlighting teaching and mentoring.
4. Two letters of support. One must be from a student who benefited from the nominee’s teaching or mentoring. The second can be from another student, a colleague or chair, a teaching assistant, a mentee, or anyone else with insight into the nominee’s teaching.
Applications must be sent via email to the three committee members listed below by June 1, 2026. Please make sure the subject line is “LastName – Teaching Award.” The file name for the portfolio should be “LastName_Teaching Award.”
Note: The CLAH requires current membership for all of its prizes and awards.
Teaching Award Committee for 2026:
S. Elizabeth Penry
fordham university
spenry@fordham.edu
Donations to the Teaching Award fund can be made here.
2025
Ángela Pérez-Villa
2024
Elena Jackson Albarrán
Honorable Mention: Jaclyn Sumner