Salute to Excellence in Education Gala
Save the Date for the 2011 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala
And plan to join us in Washington, DC on February 11, 2011 for The NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala! Online registration will open on September 15.
If you are considering sponsorship or would like to pledge now, please click on the links below.
Known as the Academy Awards of public education, the NEA Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Gala is a national celebration of the men and women who work in America's public schools. Every year the Foundation presents approximately 40 awards to the nation's top public school educators, most notably, the $25,000 NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence.
The Washington, DC event attracts nearly 800 leaders from public education, business, philanthropy, and government, who gather to pay tribute to public education and its supporters. The Foundation also recognizes support of public education through its Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education and Award for Philanthropy in Public Education.
Read about the 2010 Gala and see photos from the event
Awards for Teaching Excellence
The NEA Foundation and the National Education Association jointly present the awards with support from NEA Member Benefits, the Horace Mann Companies, the Pearson Foundation, and the Burt's Bees Greater Good Foundation.
Read more about the awards and this year’s recipients.
Award for Philanthropy in Public Education
The Award for Philanthropy in Public Education is presented to corporations and other entities of stature in recognition of their significant and demonstrated financial commitment to improving public education or supporting public schools, students, and educators. The NEA Foundation presented the inaugural award to Verizon Communications at the 2009 Gala.
Our 2010 award was presented to Nickelodeon for its commitment to children and to education. For more than 31 years, Nickelodeon has engaged and educated children across the nation and around the world. Through educational programming, Nickelodeon has championed the environment, health and wellness, education, and community service.
Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education
The Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education recognizes individuals and organizations for their lifelong commitment to advancing public education and is typically presented to those who work outside the field. Awardees have included former President Bill Clinton, Title IX advocate Billie Jean King, literacy proponent and former NFL star Tiki Barber, and Sesame Workshop.
Our 2010 award was presented Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN messenger of Peace, for her lifelong achievements in chimpanzee behavioral research and community-centered conservation in Africa, as well as for her international environmental and humanitarian youth program, Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots.