Nominations are now open for this year’s Premier’s awards for teaching excellence.
There are six categories that recognize individuals who make a difference in education:
– teacher of the year;
– new teacher of the year;
– excellent support staff,
– team of the year;
– excellence in leadership; and
– lifetime achievement.
“The staff in our schools work hard to give young people the best possible start in life,” said Minister of Education Leona Dombrowsky. “These awards are a great way to recognize their dedication and contributions to education in Ontario.”
The deadline to submit nominations is Jan. 31.
An independent selection panel will review nominations and award recipients will be announced in the spring.
Over the last four years, more than 3,600 nominations have been received and 82 individuals have been recognized by the Premier’s awards for teaching excellence.
To find instructions and nomination forms, visit www.edu.gov.on.ca/teachingawards/howtonominate.html.
Anyone with the exception of a nominee’s family members can submit a nomination. Follow these steps:
– choose the appropriate award category
– talk to the nominee and be sure they are willing to be nominated, because they will need to provide their written consent.
– find two people to support the nomination They must know the nominee and be willing to write a short letter explaining why the candidate should receive an award. Be sure to include two different perspectives – a parent, a principal, a student, a teacher, someone from the board office, a colleague. Family members cannot nominate nor write a letter of support for nominees.
– write letters showing why the nominee deserves a Premier’s award, and that letter and letters of support should help the selection panel understand the candidate’s strengths. Keep them short. Each letter should be no more than three pages long and must be signed by the writer.
– download and complete the nomination form There are two different nomination forms: one for individuals and one for the Team of the Year award.
The nomination form asks for contact information for the nominator and the individual or team being nominate. Remember to get the nominee to sign the consent form.
– make a copy. Keep a copy of the entire submission in case something gets lost in the mail.
– send the package in before the nomination deadline on Jan. 31.
Mail or courier the complete package to: Premier’s Award for Teaching Excellence, Curriculum Services Canada 439 University Avenue, Suite 1450 Toronto, ON M5G 1Y8
Nominations by fax or email will not be considered. Only complete packages will be considered. Packages must be postmarked no later than Jan. 31.
When nominating a team for Team of the Year:
– download and complete the Team of the Year nomination form;
– teams can include no more than 10 individuals;
– the nomination letter and two letters of support should explain why the entire team should receive a Premier’s award;
– each letter should still be no more than three pages long; and
– complete the nominee page (on the nomination form) for each member of the team.
