Other Awards
The Maine Department of Education does not directly participate with the awards programs listed on this page. The collection below is a sample of other recognition or awards programs available for those who wish to honor the professionals who support Maine’s children every day in our schools.
Administrator Awards
Maine Assistant Principal of the Year (PDF)
The Maine Principals' Association annually seeks nominations for and names an Assistant Principal of the Year. The Assistant Principal of the Year must be a Maine Principals' Association member, must have served as an assistant principal for two or more years, and must be serving as an assistant principal at the time of selection. The Maine Principals' Association Assistant Principals Committee reviews the nominations and selects a winner.
Character Education Awards
National Schools of Character Program
National Schools of Character (NSOC) is an annual awards program recognizing K-12 schools and districts demonstrating outstanding character education initiatives that yield positive results in student behavior, school climate and academic performance. Although winners may differ in method, content, and scope, all emphasize core ethical values such as honesty, respect, responsibility and caring. Selected schools and districts receive a cash award of $2,000, national recognition, and are featured in the Character Education Partnership (CEP)’s annual NSOC book/CD and on CEP’s website.
English and Language Arts Awards
Journalism Education Association
The JEA offers a list of awards for JEA members and non-members who have made contributions to journalism education.
World Language Teacher Awards
ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Awards
ACTFL presents numerous awards for educators.
Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award
The Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award was approved by the Foundation's Board of Trustees in September 2001 and recognizes exceptional teachers who further mutual understanding between Americans and Japanese. The award is presented annually to two pre-college teachers in two categories, humanities and Japanese language, and consists of a certificate of recognition, a $2,500 monetary award, and $5,000 in project funds. It is named in honor of Elgin Heinz for his commitment to educating students about Asia as well as for the inspiration he has provided to the field of pre-college education.
NECTFL (Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Awards
NECTFL presents numerous professional awards for educators.
General Teacher Awards
American Library Association
This site offers a variety of awards for school librarians, media professionals, and teachers.
ING Unsung Heroes Award
ING honors outstanding teachers in all 50 states through a $2,000 grant program. The First Place Teacher receives $25,000.
National Middle School Association
The NMSA has a list of awards that are awarded to outstanding middle grade educators.
The National Teachers Hall of Fame
The National Teachers Hall of Fame annually honors five teachers who have demonstrated commitment and dedication to teaching. Anyone may nominate a teacher. Inductees receive a $1,000 stipend, $1,000 in materials for their school district, a $1,000 scholarship for a student in the inductee's school district who is planning to pursue a degree in education, and more. Candidates must be certified classroom teachers (active or retired) with at least 20 years experience teaching in grades preK-12.
NEA Foundation
The National Education Association’s Foundation for the Improvement of Education offers grants and awards for educators listed.
Thomson Gale TEAMS Award
The Thomson Gale TEAMS Award recognizes and encourages the critical collaboration between teachers and media specialists to promote learning and increase student achievement. Three winners each receive a $2,500 cash award; Thomson Gale products worth approximately $500; a one-year subscription to Library Media Connection; and the Educator's Professional Bookshelf from Linworth Publishing. Nominations may be submitted by library media specialists, teachers, principals, students, or parents, from all K-12 public and private schools in the US and Canada.
Unum - Portland Pirates Educator Hall of Fame
Do you know that teacher or administrator who makes a difference in the lives of students? Unum and the Portland Pirates honor six Maine educators annually with a $500 check, six Portland Pirates tickets, a personalized Portland Pirates jersey and the opportunity to participate in an on-ice presentation. 2012 Nomination Form (PDF)| 2012 Informational Flyer (PDF) | Deadline: Dec. 9, 2011 | Pirates game where educators are honored: Jan. 20, 2012
USA Today All Star Teachers
USA TODAY honors 20 exceptional teachers a year. Winners are announced in October and they have their photographs published and accomplishments noted in USA TODAY. Each teacher also receives a trophy and a $2,500 cash award — $500 for each of the teachers and the remainder to the school for use as designated by the teachers.
Young Educator Award
The ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award nominee is an education professional, 40 years of age or younger, who demonstrates exemplary commitment and exceptional contribution to the profession. This person's creative and innovative accomplishments within the classroom, school, district, state, or region have had a significant impact on student performance and achievement over time and provide an ongoing model of excellence in encouraging all learners to succeed. The educator's body of work consistently proves leadership among colleagues. The winner receives $10,000.
Math, Science, and Technology Teacher Awards
ACTE National Awards Program
The Association for Career and Technical Education awards program seeks to promote excellence in career and technical education by recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field, programs that exemplify the highest standards and organizations that have conducted activities to promote and expand career and technical education programs.
Edythe May Sliffe Award for Distinguished Mathematics Teaching at the Middle and High School Levels
This award is given to mathematics teachers who are nominated for their quality instruction.
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year Award
The TOY award identifies and recognizes exemplary family and consumer sciences teachers who exhibit a deep commitment to the profession and association. These teachers have outstanding educational programs, methods, techniques and activities that raise awareness of family and consumer sciences at the elementary and secondary levels.
National Association of Biology Teachers
This site has a list of awards especially for biology teachers with prizes ranging from new equipment to professional development trips.
National Science Teachers Association
NSTA has numerous grants and award programs available for teachers.
Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award
Outstanding Earth Science Teacher (OEST) awards are given for "exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth Sciences at the secondary level." Middle school and high-school teachers are eligible. Eleven national finalists are selected, one from each National Association of Geosciences Teachers section. Some sections also recognize state winners. Individuals may apply themselves or nominate a colleague for the award.
School or Schoolwide Awards
Maine School Nurse of the Year
The Maine Association of School Nurses honors and publicly recognizes one school nurse annually who demonstrates excellence in school nursing practice and leadership in school health.
National School Change Awards
Annually, six schools across America are recognized for having "significantly changed.” Responding to an invitation to nominate such schools, state commissioners of education, superintendents, national educational associations, universities, and foundations endorse candidates to be considered for these prestigious awards. Nominated schools measure themselves against the sixteen criteria summarized below. Schools may nominate themselves.
Schools That Shine (WCSH 6)
Schools That Shine is a grant program designed to reward your school for innovation and creativity. Beginning February 2008, one school will be selected each month during the academic year to receive this grant. The program that was developed in partnership with WCSH 6 and your neighborhood Dunkin' Donuts locations. Any school (public, charter, parochial, or independent) serving students in grades Pre-K through 12 may submit an application.
Social Studies Teacher Awards
American Historical Association: The Beveridge Family Teaching Prize
Established in 1995, this prize honors the Beveridge family’s longstanding commitment to the AHA and K-12 teaching. Friends and family members endowed this award to recognize excellence and innovation in elementary, middle school, and secondary history teaching, including career contributions and specific initiatives. The prize is awarded on a two-year cycle rotation: in even-numbered years, to an individual; in odd-numbered years, to a group. The winner receives a $1500 cash prize and a trip to Washington, D.C.
The Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History- History Teacher of the Year Award
History Teachers of the Year are chosen from each state and awarded $1,000 and an archive of books for the school library. The National Winner gets an expenses-paid trip to the national recognition ceremony. Deadline: Varies for each state
Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award
Sponsored by the National Council for the Social Studies, this award is given to outstanding teachers, researchers, and other individuals and programs. This program recognizes classroom social studies teachers for grades K-6, 5-8, and 7-12, who teach social studies regularly.
Veterans of Foreign Wars
The VFW's National Citizenship Education Teachers' Award recognizes the nation's top elementary, junior high and high school teachers who regularly teach citizenship education topics and promote America's history and traditions. Winning teachers and their schools receive $1,000.
Special Education Awards
CEC Professional Awards
Each year the Council for Exceptional Children offers awards that recognize the educators who have advanced the field and the quality of special education service.
National Association of Special Education Teachers
Each year, NASET presents awards in a variety of categories for outstanding professional accomplishments. This site offers many awards for special education teachers.
P. Buckley Moss Foundation and Moss Society Arts Teacher Award
These awards recognize outstanding teachers who consistently integrate the arts into the teaching of children with learning disabilities and other special needs. The awards also encourage and reward instructional collaboration among teachers whenever arts are included in the classroom learning experience as an essential ingredient in the education of all children.
Updated 11/15/2011
