| Award |
Sponsor |
Description |
Category of Educator |
Subject |
| AAFCS Teacher of the Year |
American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences |
Recognizes exemplary FCS teachers who exhibit deep commitment to the profession and to the association and have outstanding educational programs that utilize methods, techniques, and activities that give visibility to family & consumer sciences. |
Teacher
|
Family and Consumer Sciences
|
| AASPA Herb Salinger Personnel Administrator of the Year |
American Association of School Personnel Administrators |
Given to an active member of AASPA who has distinguished him/herself in personnel administration/human resources at the local, state/province, national and/or international level. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
|
| ACTE Outstanding Career and Technical Professional |
Association for Career and Technical Education |
Recognizes educators other than full-time teachers who have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique, novel programs, and/or toward improvement, promotion, research, or development of career and technical education programs. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
|
Career & Technical Education
|
| ACTE Outstanding New Career and Technical Teacher |
Association for Career and Technical Education |
Recognizes early-career teachers who have shown professional commitment and who have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique, novel programs in career and technical education. |
Teacher
|
Career & Technical Education
|
| ACTE Outstanding Service Award |
Association for Career and Technical Education |
Recognizes educators who have made the highest meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, development, and progress of career and technical education. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
Career & Technical Education
|
| ACTE Teacher in Community Service Award |
Association for Career and Technical Education |
Recognizes teachers with significant accomplishments and outstanding leadership in career and technical education programs and activities that promote community involvement.
|
Teacher
|
Career & Technical Education
|
| ACTE Teacher of the Year |
Association for Career and Technical Education |
Recognizes teachers who are providing outstanding career and technical education programs for youth and/or adults and who have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique, novel programs that are serving to improve and promote career and technical education.
|
Teacher
|
Career & Technical Education
|
| American Stars of Teaching |
U.S. Department of Education |
Honors superior teachers who use innovative instructional strategies, improve student achievement, and make a difference in the lives of their students. USDOE officials visit the classes of all the American Stars to congratulate them personally. |
Teacher
|
|
| ASCA Counseling Director/Coordinator of the Year |
American School Counselor Association |
(THIS AWARD IS NO LONGER GIVEN.) Recognizes a school counseling coordinator or director whose leadership and outstanding services have had a positive impact on the guidance and counseling field for counselors on a local, state or national level. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
|
| ASCA Counselor Educator of the Year |
American School Counselor Association |
(THIS AWARD IS NO LONGER GIVEN.) Recognizes a counselor educator for outstanding service and achievement that has had a positive impact on the school counseling profession. |
Higher Ed
|
|
| ASCA School Counselor of Year |
American School Counselor Association |
Recognizes an elementary, middle/junior high, secondary, and multilevel (PreK-12) counselor for outstanding service and achievement. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
|
| ATE Distinguished Clinician in Teacher Education |
Association of Teacher Educators |
Recognizes and honors those school-based teacher educators whose work in a clinical environment helps teachers become better at what they do. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
|
| ATE Distinguished Teacher Educator |
Association of Teacher Educators |
Recognizes and honors those individuals in higher education or state departments of education who have advanced the profession of teacher education. Cosponsored by Wadsworth/ITP Publishing. |
Higher Ed
|
|
| CEAI National Educator of the Year |
Christian Educators Association International |
Honors outstanding public as well as private school Christian educators. |
Teacher
|
|
| CEC Clarissa Hug Teacher of the Year |
Council for Exceptional Children |
Recognizes a CEC member (teacher or related service provider) who currently provides direct services to students with exceptionalities. His or her work reflects significant educational success for students, continued professional development, and the highest standards of educational quality. |
Teacher
|
Special Education
|
| CEC J.E. Wallace Wallin Special Education Lifetime Achievement Award |
Council for Exceptional Children |
Recognizes an individual who has made continued and sustained contributions to the education of children and youth with exceptionalities. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
Special Education
|
| CEC Special Education Research Award |
Council for Exceptional Children |
Recognizes an individual or research team whose research has made significant contributions to the education of exceptional children and youth. |
Higher Ed
|
Special Education
|
| Christa McAuliffe Fellowship |
Council of Chief State School Officers |
(THIS AWARD IS NO LONGER GIVEN.) Provides an opportunity for outstanding and experienced teachers to assist in the development and implementation of their state’s systemic education improvement initiatives, to enhance their own professional skills, and to improve classroom instruction. |
Teacher
|
|
| Disney Teacher Award |
Disney Worldwide Outreach |
(THIS AWARD IS NO LONGER GIVEN.) Recognizes the teaching profession, showcases creativity in the classroom, and honors those who can assist in developing creative teaching strategies in their school districts. |
Teacher
|
|
| Gale/Library Media Connection TEAMS Award |
Gale and the Library Media Connection |
Recognizes and encourages the critical collaboration between the teacher and media specialist to promote learning and increase student achievement. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Teacher
|
|
| Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year |
The Gilder Lehrman Institute in partnership with Preserve America |
Recognizes American history teachers from each state, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Territories, and Department of Defense schools. Recipients receive $1,000 and become finalists for the National History Teacher of the Year Award. |
Teacher
|
History
|
| Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching (Chicago) |
Golden Apple Foundation |
Recognizes Chicago-area teachers who exemplify the highest standards and practices of the teaching profession with a paid semester sabbatical at Northwestern University, a laptop, $3,000 cash, and induction into the Golden Apple Academy of Educators. |
Teacher
|
|
| Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship |
Herb Kohl Educational Foundation |
Recognizes the contribution of outstanding Wisconsin classroom teachers. Recipients receive $1,000 and become candidates for Wisconsin Teacher of the Year. Recipients' schools also receive $1,000. |
Teacher
|
|
| Humane Society Youth National KIND Teacher |
Humane Society Youth |
Recognizes an outstanding teacher who consistently incorporates humane education into his or her curriculum and/or motivates students to get involved in community service for animals. |
Teacher
|
|
| Kansas Master Teachers |
Emporia State University and Bank of America |
Honors Kansas teachers who have served the profession long and well and who typify the good qualities of earnest and conscientious teachers. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
|
| Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Award |
Dolores Kohl Education Foundation |
Honors outstanding early childhood educators. |
Teacher
|
Early Childhood
|
| MTNA Teacher of the Year Award |
Music Teachers National Association |
Recognizes an individual teacher who has made a difference in students' lives, has contributed to the advancement of music in their community and is an example of a professional music educator. |
Teacher
|
Music
|
| NAAE Lifetime Achievement Award |
National Association of Agricultural Educators |
Recognizes retired NAAE members who have made significant contributions to agricultural education at the state, regional, and national levels. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
Agriculture
|
| NAAE Outstanding Service Award |
National Association of Agricultural Educators |
Recognizes current and retired NAAE members who have made significant contributions to agricultural education at the state, regional, and national levels. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
Agriculture
|
| NAAE Outstanding Teacher |
National Association of Agricultural Educators |
Distinguishes NAAE members who are conducting the highest quality agricultural education programs. Recognizes leadership in civic, community, agriculture/agribusiness and professional activities. |
Teacher
|
Agriculture
|
| NAAE Teacher Mentor Award |
National Association of Agricultural Educators |
Recognizes experienced teachers for becoming mentors for beginning teachers, and provides beginning teachers a way to say "Thank you" to the experienced teachers who have influenced them. |
Teacher
|
Agriculture
|
| NABSE Ida B. Wells Risk Taker Award |
National Alliance of Black School Educators |
Acknowledges individuals who have undergone great personal and professional sacrifice in the service of educational advancement for African Americans.
|
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
|
| NABSE Joseph E. Hill Superintendent of the Year |
National Alliance of Black School Educators |
Recognizes a current superintendent who has demonstrated a quality of leadership that resulted in significant positive outcomes for students of African descent.
|
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
|
| NABSE Marcus Foster Distinguished Educator |
National Alliance of Black School Educators |
Recognizes an individual who has exercised exceptional leadership qualities and made a systemic impact in the field of education.
|
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
|
| NABSE Mary McCleod Bethune Award |
National Alliance of Black School Educators |
Recognizes innovation in instruction in the classroom.
|
Teacher
|
|
| NABSE Principal of the Year |
National Alliance of Black School Educators |
Recognizes a principal who has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills that have led to a greater sense of student, teaching staff, and parental community support.
|
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
|
| NABSE Teacher of the Year |
National Alliance of Black School Educators |
Recognizes a teacher whose innovative teaching techniques have led to an increase in student achievement.
|
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
|
| NABT Biotechnology Teaching Award |
National Association of Biology Teachers |
Recognizes a secondary school teacher or undergraduate college biology instructor who has demonstrated outstanding and creative teaching of biotechnology in the classroom. |
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
Science
|
| NABT Distinguished Service Award |
National Association of Biology Teachers |
Recognizes scientists who have made major contributions to biology education through their research, writing, and teaching. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
Science
|
| NABT Ecology/Environmental Science Teaching Award |
National Association of Biology Teachers |
Recognizes a secondary school teacher who has successfully developed and demonstrated an innovative approach in the teaching of ecology/environmental science and has carried his/her commitment to the environment into the community. |
Teacher
|
Science
|
| NABT Evolution Education Award |
National Association of Biology Teachers |
Recognizes innovative classroom teaching and community education efforts to promote the accurate understanding of biological evolution. |
Teacher
|
Science
|
| NABT Outstanding Biology Teacher |
National Association of Biology Teachers |
Recognizes an outstanding biology educator (grades 7-12) in each of the 50 states; Washington, DC; Canada; Puerto Rico; and overseas territories. |
Teacher
|
Science
|
| NABT Outstanding New Biology Teacher Achievement Award |
National Association of Biology Teachers |
Recognizes outstanding teaching (grades 7-12) by a "new" biology/life science instructor within his/her first three years of teaching (when nominated) who has developed an original and outstanding program or technique and made a contribution to the profession at the start of his/her career. |
Teacher
|
Science
|
| NASP School Psychologist of the Year |
National Association of School Psychologists |
Recognizes individual school psychologists who have demonstrated exemplary dedication and effectiveness in improving the well being of children, families, and schools and in advancing the school psychology profession. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
|
| NASPE Athletic Director of the Year |
National Association for Sport and Physical Education & Philips Healthcare |
Recognizes secondary school athletic directors who exemplify the highest standards of their profession, and who have made significant contributions to their schools and communities. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
Phys Ed and Related Studies
|
| NASPE Channing Mann K-12 Physical Education Administrator of the Year |
National Association for Sport and Physical Education |
This is the highest recognition bestowed by Council for School Leadership in Physical Education. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
Phys Ed and Related Studies
|
| NASPE Margie R. Hanson Distinguished Service Award (Elementary Physical Education) |
National Association for Sport and Physical Education |
Given to senior professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of physical education for children. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
Phys Ed and Related Studies
|
| NASPE National Physical Education Teacher of the Year |
National Association for Sport and Physical Education & SPORTIME International |
Honors exemplary elementary, middle-, and high-school physical education teachers. |
Teacher
|
Phys Ed and Related Studies
|
| NASPE Outstanding Mentor of the Year |
National Association for Sport and Physical Education |
Given to a higher education faculty member for mentoring undergraduate or graduate physical education students. |
Higher Ed
|
Phys Ed and Related Studies
|
| NASPE Physical Education Teacher Education Honor Award |
National Association for Sport and Physical Education |
Recognizes and honors exemplary, innovative work that impacts physical education teacher education |
Higher Ed
|
Phys Ed and Related Studies
|
| NASSP-Gruhn-Long-Melton Award |
National Association of Secondary School Principals |
Recognizes significant contributions to middle level education thru teaching, writing, speaking, and/or demonstrated leadership skills, service to professional organizations, or scholarship that contributes to the knowledge about middle level education.
|
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
|
| NASSP-MetLife Principal of The Year |
National Association of Secondary School Principals & MetLife |
Recognizes outstanding middle level and high school principals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, commitment to students and staff, service to their communities and contributions to the overall profession of educational leadership. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
|
| NASSP-Virco Assistant Principal of the Year |
National Association of Secondary School Principals & Virco, Inc. |
Recognizes outstanding middle level and high school assistant principals who have demonstrated success in leadership, curriculum and personalization |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
|
| NASSP-Warren E. Shull NASC Adviser of the Year |
National Association of Secondary School Principals |
Recognizes high-school and middle-level student council advisers of exemplary character, leadership, and commitment to young people and their development as student leaders. There are separate awards for high-school and middle-level advisers.
|
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
|
| NATA Sayers “Bud” Miller Distinguished Educator |
National Athletic Trainers Association |
Recognizes individuals who exemplify excellence in the field of athletic training education. |
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
Phys Ed and Related Studies
|
| National Board Certification |
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards |
Recognizes teachers who have passed a rigorous certification process based on standards that describe the highest level of teaching in twenty-four certificate areas determined by subject matter and student developmental levels.
|
Teacher
|
|
| National Teacher of the Year |
Council of Chief State School Officers |
NTOY is the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching. Project Excellence includes awards at both the national and state levels. The national website contains links to state programs. |
Teacher
|
|
| NAWD Earl Reum Award |
National Association of Workshop Directors |
Recognizes a student adviser who has mentored other advisers so they can provide leadership training for students. The award is given in collaboration with the National Association of Secondary School Principals and Herff Jones, Inc. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
|
| NAWD Earl Reum Award |
National Association of Workshop Directors |
Recognizes a student adviser who has mentored other advisers so they can provide leadership training for students. The award is given in collaboration with the National Association of Secondary School Principals and Herff Jones, Inc. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
|
| NBEA Collegiate or University Teacher of the Year |
National Business Education Association |
Recognizes outstanding contributions to business education by a college or university business educator. |
Higher Ed
|
Business
|
| NBEA Distinguished Service Award for an Administrator or Supervisor |
National Business Education Association |
Recognizes outstanding contributions to business education by a postsecondary business administrator or supervisor. |
Higher Ed
|
Business
|
| NBEA Post-Secondary Teacher of the Year |
National Business Education Association |
Recognizes outstanding contributions to business education by a postsecondary business educator. |
Higher Ed
|
Business
|
| NBEA Secondary Teacher of the Year |
National Business Education Association |
Recognizes outstanding contributions to business education by a secondary business educator. |
Teacher
|
Business
|
| NCEA Dr. Robert J. Kealey Distinguished Principal |
National Catholic Educational Association |
Honors outstanding administrators in Catholic elementary schools. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
|
|
| NCEA Michael J. Guerra Leadership Award |
National Catholic Educational Association |
Recognizes a selected educator whose contributions to Catholic Secondary Schools will have a distinctive and lasting impact. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Teacher
|
|
| NCEA Sister Miriam Joseph Farrell, PBVM. Distinguished Teacher |
National Catholic Educational Association |
Honors outstanding teachers in Catholic elementary schools. |
Teacher
|
|
| NCGE & Nystrom/Herff-Jones Geography Award |
National Council for Geographic Education & Nystrom/Herff-Jones |
Provides one $1500 cash award to a K-12 teacher (or group of teachers) for an exemplary classroom presentation.
|
Teacher
|
Geography
|
| NCGE Distinguished Teaching Award-K12 |
National Council for Geographic Education |
Honors teachers who have displayed continued dedication to geographic education |
Teacher
|
Geography
|
| NCGE George J. Miller Award |
National Council for Geographic Education |
Recognizes contributions to geographic education, sustained effort on behalf of geographic education, and service to the NCGE. The highest honor given by the NCGE. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
Geography
|
| NCSS Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year |
National Council for the Social Studies |
Recognizes exceptional classroom social studies teachers for grades K-6 who teach social studies regularly and systematically in elementary school settings. |
Teacher
|
Social Studies
|
| NCSS Middle Level Social Studies Teacher of the Year |
National Council for the Social Studies |
Recognizes exceptional classroom social studies teachers for grades 5-8 who teach social studies regularly and systematically at least half time in middle or junior high school settings. |
Teacher
|
Social Studies
|
| NCSS Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year |
National Council for the Social Studies |
Recognizes exceptional classroom social studies teachers for grades 7-12 who teach social studies regularly and systematically at least half time in high school settings. |
Teacher
|
Social Studies
|
| NCTE Distinguished Service Award |
National Council of Teachers of English |
Recognizes valuable professional service including scholarly or academic distinction at any level, distinguished use of language, and/or excellence in teaching. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
English
|
| NCTE Donald H. Graves Writing Award |
National Council of Teachers of English |
Recognizes teachers in grades 1-6 who demonstrate an understanding of student improvement in the teaching of writing. |
Teacher
|
English
|
| NCTE Edwin A. Hoey Award |
National Council of Teachers of English |
Recognizes exceptional English language arts teachers of grades 5-8 who have demonstrated excellence in teaching English language arts and inspired a spirit of inquiry and a love of learning in their students. |
Teacher
|
English
|
| NCTE James R. Squire Award |
National Council of Teachers of English |
Recognize outstanding service, not only to the stature and development of NCTE and the discipline which it represents, but also to the profession of education as a whole, internationally as well as nationally. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
English
|
| NCTE Media Literacy Award |
National Council of Teachers of English |
Recognize NCTE members who have developed innovative approaches for integrating media analysis and composition into their instruction. |
Higher Ed
|
English
|
| NCTE Outstanding ELA Educator |
National Council of Teachers of English |
Recognizes a distinguished national or international educator who has made major contributions to the field of language arts in elementary education. |
Higher Ed
|
English
|
| NCTE Richard W. Halle Award |
National Council of Teachers of English |
Honors a junior high/middle level educator who has worked to promote understanding of the developmental needs and characteristics of young adolescents, especially in the English language arts. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
English
|
| NEA Foundation I CAN Learn Award |
NEA Foundation |
(Formerly the Award for Teaching Excellence) Recognizes, rewards, and promotes excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession, and honors public education and the members of the National Education Association (NEA). Recipients become candidates for the Foundation's Horace Mann and NEA Member Benefits Awards. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
Teacher
|
|
| NHS & NJHS Rynearson National Adviser of the Year |
National Honor Society & National Junior Honor Society, programs of the National Association of Secondary School Principals |
Recognizes the nation’s most involved National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society advisers for the great things they are doing with their chapters at the local level. |
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Teacher
|
|
| NTA Professional Development Award (K-12) |
National Tutoring Association |
Supports professional tutors who are committed to enhancing their programs. |
Teacher
|
|
| NTA Tutor of the Year (K-12) |
National Tutoring Association |
Recognizes individual excellence in tutoring and outstanding accomplishments outside the classroom or in the community. |
Teacher
|
|
| OAH Tachau Teacher Of The Year |
Organization of American Historians |
Recognizes the contributions made by precollegiate or classroom teachers to improve history education. |
Teacher
|
History
Social Studies
|
| Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching |
National Science Foundation |
The PAEMST is the highest award a kindergarten - 12th grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. The President makes up to 108 awards each year from the fifty states and four U.S. jurisdictions. |
Teacher
|
Mathematics
Science
|
| QuikSCience COSEE-West Commitment to Education Award |
The USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies and Quiksilver, Inc. |
Recognizes California educators whose actions and special contributions have helped improve K-12 teaching and learning of ocean sciences. There is one award for school and district administrators and another for university researchers/scientists.
|
Admin.-Prof.Staff
Higher Ed
|
Science
|
| QuikSCience COSEE-West Early Career Award |
The USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies and Quiksilver, Inc. |
Given to encourage California teachers with fewer than two years teaching experience who have demonstrated an interest in and commitment to developing and implementing effective and innovative approaches to learning and teaching ocean sciences.
|
Teacher
|
Science
|
| QuikSCience COSEE-West Formal Teaching Excellence Award |
The USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies and Quiksilver, Inc. |
"Recognizes California teachers who are active in developing and implementing innovative and effective approaches to learning and teaching ocean sciences. There are awards for elementary school (K–5), middle school (6–8), and high school (9–12).
"
|
Teacher
|
Science
|
| USA TODAY All-USA Teacher Teams |
USA TODAY |
(THIS AWARD IS NO LONGER GIVEN.) Honors outstanding K-12 teachers and instructional teams on how they identify student needs and the impact they have on student learning; winners are featured in USA TODAY as representatives of all outstanding teachers. |
Teacher
|
|
| VFW Citizenship Education Teacher Award |
Veterans of Foreign Wars |
Recognizes the nation's top elementary, junior high, and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America's history and traditions. Provides a $1,000 cash award for professional development to each of the top K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 teachers and a $1,000 award for each recipient's school. |
Teacher
|
|
