Teacher Awards and Competitions

Browse awards and competitions or select a specific area of interest.

Art Teacher Awards

Character Education Awards

English and Language Arts Awards

Foreign Language Teacher Awards

General Teacher Awards

Math, Science, and Technology Teacher Awards

Regional Awards

Social Studies Teacher Awards

Special Education Awards

For extra motivation, check out CelebriTeachers, a new feature on TeachersCount.org devoted to highlighting award-winning teachers around the country.

Art Teacher Awards

Coca-Cola Company and National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts Distinguished Teachers in the Arts Program

The Coca-Cola Company and NFAA recognize outstanding high school teachers in the arts. Teachers are selected by their students - both past and present. Each ARTS winner provides NFAA with the names of two teachers who have had the most profound influence on their artistic development. NFAA selects two teachers each year for this honor. These teachers are invited to participate in ARTS Week held in Miami, Florida. The Coca-Cola Company underwrites all expenses associated with the Distinguished Teachers in the Arts awards, including the cost of the teachers' transportation to Miami, accommodations, meals and a $1,000 stipend each.
Deadline: Oct 1^st of every year

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.
Deadline: Varies

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.
Deadline: October 15^th every year

National High School Journalism Teacher Awards Program

The award for the teacher of the year includes a newsroom laptop computer, The Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition and a column in Advisor Update.
Deadline: July 1^st of every year

Foreign Language Teacher Awards

ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Awards

The council provides numerous awards for educators.
Deadline: Varies

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.
Deadline: February of every year

South Carolina Spanish Teacher of the Year

The Citadel's Tau Iota Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, presents its annual South Carolina Spanish Teacher of the Year Award to promote and recognize outstanding teaching of the Hispanic language and culture in South Carolina's public and private K-12 schools. All three finalists will receive award plaques, and the winner will receive $1000.
Deadline: Varies

General Teacher Awards

American Library Association

This site offers a variety of awards for school librarians, media professionals, and teachers.
Deadline: Various

American Stars of Teaching

American Stars recognizes and honors superior teachers with a track record of improving student achievement, using innovative instructional strategies, and making a difference in the lives of their students. These teachers will be highlighted as representatives of the thousands of teachers who are making a difference in the classroom.
Deadline: Varies

Freida J. Riley Teacher Award

This award annually recognizes an American teacher who is working with a physical disability, who is dealing with an especially challenging educational environment, or who has performed a heroic act for his/her students in order to positively impact them. It is given in honor of Freida J. Riley, the teacher who inspired the book Rocket Boys and who is depicted in the film October Sky. The recipient is awarded with a 10,000-dollar check.
Deadline: Varies

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.
Deadline: April 30^th every year

Milken Family Foundation: National Educator Awards

This program is designed to honor educators who are making great strides in improving education. From its original presentation of awards to a dozen California educators, the program has grown to national stature.
Deadline: N/A

National Middle School Association

The NMSA has a list of awards that are awarded to outstanding middle grade educators.
Deadline: Various

National Teacher of the Year Program

Sponsored by The Council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastic, the National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching. A national selection committee representing the major national education organizations chooses the National Teacher of the Year from among the State Teachers of the Year. The site contains information about the application and nominating processes, duties of the National Teacher of the Year, and the selection criteria.
Deadline: Varies

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.
Deadline: Varies

NEA Foundation

The National Education Association’s Foundation for the Improvement of Education offers grants and awards for educators listed.
Deadline: Various

State Teacher of the Year

Each state has a teacher of the year program. State teachers can nominate themselves or be nominated by parents and students. Each state’s program is different; for nomination details contact the program coordinator for your state. Those who are named State Teacher of the Year are also considered for the National Teacher of the Year Award.
Deadline: Various

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.
Deadline: September of every year

2009 Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year

The winner and several finalists are selected annually by the National Center for Family Literacy to honor educators who demonstrate an impact on families through early childhood education, school-based programs, adult literacy and ESL programs, parenting education, library literacy programs and community literacy programs. The online form should be completed by the program director or coordinator, and includes several guidelines which can be found on the website. The winner will receive a $7,500 award for his/her program and a trip to the 18th Annual National Conference on Family Literacy.
Deadline: Varies

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.
Deadline: April of every year

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.
Deadline: Varies

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.
Deadline: Various

Air Force Association Teacher of the Year Award

In addition to offering awards and scholarships to students, the AFA gives Teacher of the Year awards on the national, state, and chapter level.
Deadline: Various

Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards

The Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards is Cable in the Classroom's annual awards program to recognize administrators, educators, community leaders and policymakers who demonstrate vision, innovation, action and transformation in education. The objective of the awards is to promote and encourage innovative learning practices by honoring individuals who have transformed an aspect of education on a large or small scale. Awards are given in five different categories, including "Pushing the Envelope with Cable Technology and Programming" and "Media Literacy". Winners receive transportation to and lodging in Washington, D. C. for a celebration and a grant of $3,000.
Deadline: Varies

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.
Deadline: Varies

Entomological Society of America's President’s Prizes for Outstanding Achievement in Primary and Secondary Education

Entomological Foundation recognizes outstanding teachers who have gone beyond the traditional teaching methods by using insects as educational tools.
Deadline: July 1^st of every year

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.
Deadline: Varies

ITEA Educator Awards

This site provides a list of International Technology Education Association awards available to technology educators.
Deadline: December 1^st of every year

MfA Master Teacher Fellowship

The Newton Master Teacher Fellowship, offered by Math for America, is a $50,000, four-year award available to outstanding teachers of mathematics in the New York City public high schools. The program's purpose is to recognize mathematics teachers who demonstrate solid mathematical knowledge and have outstanding performance records.  This four-year program provides annual stipends of $12,500 to each Master Teacher and presents opportunities for professional development and collaboration with other teachers that will help to ensure that Fellows excel as teachers and are satisfied in their careers. Master Teachers stay in the schools where they are currently working. All Math for America activities happen outside of the work day.  Math for America awards approximately ten Master Teacher Fellowships each year.
Deadline: Varies

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.
Deadline: Various

National Association for Environmental Education

The NAEE K-12 Teacher of the Year Award is presented to an individual who is recognized for promoting environmental education and utilizing the environment as a context for learning.
Deadline: Varies

National KIND Teacher Award

The National Association for Humane and Environmental Education recognizes an outstanding teacher who consistently incorporates humane and environmental education into his or her curriculum.
Deadline: Varies

National Science Teachers Association

NSTA has numerous grants and award programs available for teachers.
Deadline: Various

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.
Deadline: February 1^st of every year

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science

Established by an act from Congress and the National Science Foundation, this is hailed as the highest award for math and science teachers.   In even-numbered years, honors are bestowed upon K-6 teachers, while 7th and 8th grade teachers are honored in odd-numbered years.  Recipients receive $10,000, a citation from the president, and a trip to DC for a week of ceremonies in their honor and much more.
Deadline: May 1^st of every year

Time Warner Cable National Teacher Awards

Outstanding K-12 teachers who develop creative learning experiences using cable television resources such as programming or internet technology can apply for this award designed to encourage the development and effective use of Cable in the Classroom educational programs. Projects must involve cable resources either with national cable networks or local government, educational or public access programs, or technology that stimulate a national exchange of innovative ideas and programs among educators. Projects should focus on curriculum development in areas such as cross-curricular studies, classroom-to community activities, study-related materials, audiovisual productions and/or multimedia applications.
Deadline: September of every year

Verizon Tech Savvy Awards

The Tech Savvy Awards are presented to programs that demystify technology for parents so that they can learn about the technology their child is using and better support his or her educational growth. The awards are presented by the National Center for Family Literacy and are the first national awards to be given to intergenerational digital learning programs. One national award of $25,000 and four regional awards of $5,000 will be presented at the National Conference on Family Literacy. All 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, libraries and schools are eligible to apply. Programs should demonstrate innovative and creative use of digital learning in order to increase a parents understanding of the technology and empower them to become actively involved in their child’s education.
Deadline: Varies

Regional Awards

Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching Excellence

This award honors four Jacksonville, Florida preK-12 teachers who inspire students through excellent teaching. Gilchrist Berg, president of Water Street Capital, gives the winners $15,000 each to spend as they wish. The award honors Mr. Berg's fourth grade public school teacher, Gladys Prior. The awards are administered by the University of North Florida. Anyone may nominate a teacher with ten years of experience.
Deadline: March of every year

Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching

The Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching program honors 10 teachers in the Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and Will Counties in Illinois each year. Winners receive a paid sabbatical to take classes at Northwestern University, a laptop computer, a $3,000 stipend, and induction into the Golden Apple Academy.
Deadline: December 1^st of every year

MACUL Outstanding Teacher and Educator of the Year

The Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) recognizes and honors MACUL members who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in implementing the use of technology to improve education. The TEA program presents a TEA Technology Classroom to two recognized MACUL recipients; an Outstanding Educator of the Year (school administrator or technology coordinator) and an Outstanding Teacher of the Year. The TEA program also provides a technology award to one runner-up in each of these award categories, and to the recipient of the Technology Coordinator Award of Excellence.
Deadline: Various

Music-Center BRAVO Awards

The BRAVO Award was established by the Music Center in 1983 to recognize teachers and schools for creativity, innovation and excellence in arts education. BRAVO Awards honor educators and schools for excellence in all arts disciplines and are open to all Los Angeles County educators, schools, and programs. The awards are presented in three categories: schools; arts specialist teachers; and general classroom teachers. Winners receive a BRAVO sculpture and cash awards.
Deadline: Varies

Ocean Science Leadership Awards

The QuikSCience COSEE-West Ocean Leadership Awards recognize educators who make outstanding contributions to K-12 ocean science education. Each awardee receives a $500 stipend and a recognition plaque.
Deadline: Varies

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.
Deadline: Varies

Association for Childhood Education International

ACEI’s list of awards is centered on excellence in global education.
Deadline: Various

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

National Council for Geographic Education

The NCGE College/University and K-12 Distinguished Teaching Achievement Awards recognize outstanding geography teaching in the colleges, universities, and schools of the United States and Canada, including U.S. Department of Defense schools abroad.
Deadline: Varies

National History Day Educator Award

The History Channel presents this award to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to history education through service to the National History Day program. The winner receives $5,000 and a special plaque that is presented at the NHD national contest in June. To be eligible, the individual must be a participant in the National History Day program and may be a teacher, media specialist, district or state History Day coordinator, judge, or parent. Nominees are evaluated based on success in involving students in the program, service to the History Day program, and service to the discipline of history in general.
Deadline: May 20^th of every year

Organization of American Historians

The Organization of American Historians sponsors an annual award to recognize the contributions made by pre-collegiate or classroom teachers to improve history education. The award is given for activities that enhance the intellectual development of other history teachers and/or students.
Deadline: Varies

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.
Deadline: Varies

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 dollars.
Deadline: November 1^st of every year

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.
Deadline: October of every year

Heartspring Award for Innovation and Creativity in Special Education

Heartspring awards teachers who use new and innovative methods to get results for children with special needs. Desirable applications are creative, take risks and tell in a unique way how you execute your program to get results. Winners receive $1000 dollars, an expenses paid trip, and more.
Deadline: Varies

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.
Deadline: May 1^st of every year

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.
Deadline: May 15^th of every year

Know about an award that isn’t listed here? Email info@teacherscount.org so we can add it to our page.