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Call for Nominations: WEA Nominee for NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence

The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes, rewards and promotes excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession. WEA is accepting nominations for our state affiliate award winner. It's easy to nominate a deserving WEA member!

Eligibility: All current members of an NEA local affiliate or bargaining unit are eligible, including teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff. Any WEA member is eligible to nominate another WEA member for this award.

Award criteria: Nominations must address the candidate's qualifications in five areas: 1) Professional Practice, 2) Advocacy for the Profession, 3) Community Engagement, 4) Leadership in Professional Development, and 5) Attention to Diversity.

Award recognition: WEA's nominee will receive expenses-paid travel to the NEA Foundation's Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in Washington, D.C., in February 2024. Five awardees will be selected for The Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence and receive $10,000 each, plus expenses-paid travel for themselves and a guest. The NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence recipient, selected from the five, receives $25,000 in cash and a personalized commemorative gift. Read more about the award.

Nomination Process

There are just two steps:

1. Submit a brief letter of nomination (no more than 3 pages, double spaced) outlining the individual's strengths and accomplishments tied to the five award criteria. Send nomination letters by 5:00pm on Monday, March 27, to WEA Center for Education Quality staff Arlyn Palomo.

2. Have your nominee submit brief responses (400 words or less per response) to the following prompts by 5 p.m. Monday, March 27, via this submission link.

  • Question 1: In what ways have you distinguished yourself for your instructional expertise, creativity and innovation?
  • Question 2: How have you advocated to advance the education profession and to strengthen public education?
  • Question 3: How do you connect the community with the work you do in your classroom, school and/or district?
  • Question 4: In what ways have you cultivated your professional expertise and led others in professional development?
  • Question 5: How do you ensure the diverse needs of learners are met and honored?

Nominations due by 5:00pm on Monday, March 27, 2023.

 WEA will notify nominees about the status of their application by early May.