They arrive early and stay late. They encourage, cajole, innovate, and challenge. They impart not just knowledge but love of learning and discovery.
The best teachers stay with us forever.
Educators are essential to our society and play a pivotal role in our democracy – that’s why we believe their voices need to be honored and recognized.
The Awards for Teaching Excellence program recognizes educators from around the country who promote both excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession. Educators are honored through three types of awards – California Casualty Awards, Horace Mann Awards, and the NEA Member Benefits Award.
California Casualty awardees are nominated from across the country by their NEA state affiliates and represent the best of their profession. From that pool of exceptional educators, 5 are chosen as Horace Mann awardees, and 1 is selected as the NEA Member Benefits awardee.
Nominate an Educator
The NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence present an annual opportunity for NEA state leaders to collectively and publicly recognize and reward exemplary educators for their outstanding instruction and advocacy to advance the profession. Each NEA direct affiliate may nominate an educator to receive an Award for Teaching Excellence between September and May. Visit our Nominate an Educator page for more information and to submit a nomination.
