At the end of each academic year the Education Department recognizes two students, one from the Education Major programs (Elementary Education, Inclusive Elementary Education, Middle Childhood, Special Education, and Integrated Science for Teachers), and one from the Education Minor programs (Adolescent to Young Adult and Multi-age), as “outstanding teacher education students with the potential to make a substantial contribution to the profession of teaching.” The students receive a cash prize, a certificate from the department, and their names are recorded on a plaque hung in the department office.
Nomination
Students may be nominated by a peer, by Education faculty, or they may self-nominate. To be eligible for the award, the student must demonstrate:
- Instructional Excellence (Exceeds expectations on CPAST, edTPA, and Dispositional Assessment)
- High level of Commitment to Profession (going above and beyond requirements)
- Professional Behavior
- Outstanding peer mentoring/leadership, and
- Must be on track to complete student teaching and graduate during the academic year of the award
Procedure
- Submit letter of nomination to the Education Department by mid-March.
- Nominated candidates need to submit one letter of recommendation from a cooperating teacher in either a student teaching or a field placement by the required deadline.
Selection
The award recipients will be selected by a committee of three Education Program faculty members.
