Association of Texas Professional Educators
 
 

2011-12 ATPE Educator of the Year Awards

Prior Year Award Recipients

Categories
The ATPE Educator of the Year Awards acknowledge those ATPE members who demonstrate exceptional or innovative capabilities in their respective education fields. The recipients will receive a check for $1,000. The Educator of the Year Awards are divided into five categories:

  • Administrator of the Year
  • Associate of the Year
  • Elementary Teacher of the Year
  • Secondary Teacher of the Year
  • Special Services Educator of the Year

Criteria and guidelines

  1. The nominee must complete the essay questions below, and one copy must be mailed or faxed to the state office along with a completed 2011-12 nomination form (see link below).
  2. Nominees for Administrator of the Year must have three or more years (not including the 2011-12 school year) of administrative experience. Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year and Special Services Educator of the Year nominees must have five or more years of experience (not including the 2011-12 school year). Associate of the Year nominees must have three or more years of education experience (not including the 2011-12 school year).
  3. Individuals who are members of the same local unit as an Educator of the Year Committee member are not eligible to apply for this award.
  4. If selected as a finalist, the nominee must be present at the 2012 ATPE Summit in Austin for oral interviews and the awards and entertainment banquet.

Judging process
A committee of ATPE members is selected each year by the state president and approved by the Board of Directors. This judging committee will review all applications and select up to three finalists for each category. Following oral interviews, the committee will select the recipients.

Timeline

  1. Entries for Educator of the Year must be postmarked no later than March 5, 2012, if mailed, or received by midnight on the same date if faxed.
  2. Finalists will be notified in May so they can make travel arrangements for the ATPE Summit.

2011-12 essay questions
Nominees should answer each question for their respective categories and limit responses to one typed, double-spaced 8 1/2’’ x 11’’ page per question (front and back). Use Arial or Times New Roman with a minimum font size of 10 pt. Pages exceeding the one-page-per-question limit will not be considered by the judging committee.

Administrator of the Year

  1. Philosophy: Describe your concept of what makes an outstanding administrator. How have you applied this concept in your position?
  2. Education Trends: Which educational trends have shown the most promise in your school district? How have you encouraged their implementation?
  3. Communication and Leadership: In your daily interactions with staff and students, how do you promote effective communication? What methods do you use to motivate others?
  4. Biography: Please briefly describe any awards or recognitions you have received and/or any special projects or committees with which you have been involved. Describe what you consider to be your greatest contribution and/or accomplishment in education.

Associate of the Year (e.g., educational aide, secretary, bus driver, etc.)

  1. Philosophy: Describe your concept of what makes an outstanding associate. How have you applied this concept in your position? Describe the rewards you find in the school environment.
  2. Education Trends: Which educational trends have shown the most promise on your campus? How have you encouraged their implementation?
  3. Communication and Leadership: In your daily interactions with staff and students, how do you promote effective communication? What methods do you use to motivate others?
  4. Biography: Please briefly describe any awards or recognitions you have received and/or any special projects or committees with which you have been involved. Describe what you consider to be your greatest contribution and/or accomplishment in education.

Special Services Educator of the Year (e.g., diagnostician, librarian, counselor, etc.)

  1. Philosophy: Describe your concept of what makes an outstanding educator. How have you applied this concept in your position?
  2. Education Trends: Which educational trends have shown the most promise on your campus? How have you encouraged their implementation?
  3. Communication and Leadership: In your daily interactions with staff and students, how do you promote effective communication? What methods do you use to motivate others?
  4. Biography: Please briefly describe any awards or recognitions you have received and/or any special projects or committees with which you have been involved. Describe what you consider to be your greatest contribution and/or accomplishment in education.

Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year

  1. Philosophy of Teaching: Describe your personal feelings and beliefs about your profession, including your concept of what makes an outstanding educator. Describe the rewards you find in your position.
  2. Education Trends: Which educational trends have shown the most promise on your campus? How have you encouraged their implementation?
  3. Communication and Leadership: In your daily interactions with staff and students, how do you promote effective communication? What methods do you use to motivate others?
  4. Biography: Please briefly describe any awards or recognitions you have received and/or any special projects or committees with which you have been involved. Describe what you consider to be your greatest contribution and/or accomplishment in education.

Nomination Form (PDF file)

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