Outstanding Young Educators Wanted for Special Recognition

 The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) is now accepting nominations for its Outstanding Young Educator of the Year Award.  The deadline for nominations is August 1, 2008.  The program recognizes creative and committed teachers and administrators under the age of 40 who are making a difference in the lives of children. These educators are developing and using best practices to ensure all children are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.

The ACSD is looking for teachers who demonstrate commitment to educating the whole child by working with staff, parents and community stakeholders to meet the physical, intellectual, emotional needs of the child; demonstrate leadership; have a positive impact on student learning; and contributes to the education profession.

The teacher must be nominated by someone other than themselves, and both the teacher and the nominator should be K-12 teachers or administrators.   After the application committee reviews the application, exemplary candidates will be asked to write a personal essay and complete a video interview.  The selection committee will then choose honorees and one winner.

In addition to receiving recognition throughout the worldwide education community, the winner will receive a check for $10,000; an all-expenses-paid trip to the ASCD Annual Conference for the winner and one companion; award presentation at the ASCD Annual Conference; an ASCD Institutional membership; a personal profile in ASCD’s flagship publication, Educational Leadership magazine; professional development and leadership opportunities through ASCD.

The committee will also choose a select group of honorees who will receive a check for $500, complimentary registration for the ASCD Annual Conference, a one-year complimentary ASCD Premium membership, and professional development and leadership opportunities through ASCD.

The 2008 winner Deidre Grode was recognized for promoting tolerance, raising her students’ awareness of social justice issues, and teaching them to be leaders of change in their communities.  “She exemplifies what it means to teach the whole child,” said ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter. The 2007 winner Joris Ray was appointed to the State Advisory Committee on Alternative Education by Tennessee governor Phil Bredesen.
For more information on this award, go to www.acsd.org

— Teachers of Color