AWARDS
Identifying Excellent Educators
NOMINATIONS AND VIDEO SUBMISSIONS
School and community stakeholders nominate teachers, assistant principals, and principals for the award. Nominations open on the last day of August each year. Applicants then advance to video submissions.
ESSAYS AND PROJECT PROPOSAL
Applicants complete essays aligned to the award criteria along with an innovative STEAM, Literacy or 21st century skill development project proposal.
OBSERVATIONS
Semi-finalists advance to live classroom and school observations conducted by past winners of the award.
FINAL INTERVIEW PANEL
Finalists participate in a day of interviews with past winners.

EMPOWERING EXCELLENT EDUCATORS
Each teacher and school leader winner is awarded $7,500 that includes funding for a school project of the winner’s choice ($3,500), funding for a professional development opportunity to increase the winner’s effectiveness in the school or classroom ($1,500), and a personal stipend ($2,500).
$3,500 : PROJECT
$2,500 : PERSONAL STIPEND
$1,500 : PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
SURPRISE DAY & AWARDS CEREMONY
Excellent educators are notified of winning the award in special surprise day ceremonies, and then celebrated in front of peers and community members at a special awards ceremony.
BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:
Position
Pre-K through 12th Grade Teacher, Assistant Principal or Principal (*At this time we are unable to consider instructional coaches, counselors or support staff positions.)
District
Must be in one of the following districts: Atlanta, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett
School
Charter or Traditional School
Year
Taught in district during the 2016-2017 school year
Plans
Plans to remain in district until summer 2019
Prior Experience
Must have completed 2 years in education prior to applying