What are The NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence?

The NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence recognize, reward, and promote excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession. They also honor public education and the dedicated members of the NEA. The NEA Foundation and the National Education Association jointly present the awards with support from California Casualty, Horace Mann Educators Corporation, NEA Member Benefits, and Pearson Foundation.

Who Is Eligible For Nomination?

All current members of an NEA local affiliate or bargaining unit are eligible, including teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff. NEA state affiliates, the Federal Education Association, and direct affiliates (UDC and UHPA) may each submit one nomination per year. Only nominations submitted and endorsed by one of these affiliates will be considered.

When is the Next Deadline?

Tuesday, May 1, 2012 (submitted electronically)

What Are The Selection Criteria?

Nominations are judged according to the following criteria. Panelists rate state awardees on each criterion using the point value indicated below.

• Instructional expertise, creativity, innovation, and leadership (20 points)
• Advocacy for the profession, public education, and students (15 points)
• Diversity sensitivity and support (5 points)
• Leadership in professional development and commitment to lifelong learning (5 points)
• Involvement of parents and community members in the classroom (5 points)

Click here for the online nomination.

What is the Selection Process?

Affiliate Level

Each affiliate determines its own best process for selecting its awardee and submits a single application to the NEA Foundation. Any selection process that is acceptable to the affiliate is acceptable to the NEA Foundation.

National Level

The national selection panel chooses five recipients of The Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence from among the affiliate awardees. Panelists are appointed by the President and CEO of the NEA Foundation and the President of the NEA, and may include national awardees from previous years.

The Horace Mann awardees will be interviewed on July 23, 2012, and will present a sample lesson to the panel that day.

How are the awardees notified?

The Foundation will notify all affiliate presidents and their awardees of their status by the end of August.