NYS TESOL Awards

Call for Awards: Exceptional Professionals

To honor contributions made within our field, NYS TESOL presents several awards at its annual conference. You can help spread the word by printing out and passing along our Call for Awards flyer. (pdf)

All submissions are due Septempter 10, 2010.

Awards & Nominating Guidelines

Awards
Outstanding Teacher Award
James A. Lydon Distingushed Service Award
Recognition Award
James E. Weaver Memorial Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
Special Awards

Award Nomination Guidelines

Outstanding Teacher Award

To see the Outstanding Teacher Award rubric used for evaluation, click here. PDF

Purpose:  To honor an excellent teacher in our profession.
Criteria:

• Membership in NYS TESOL (recent, long-term, or returning member)
• At least five years teaching ELLs (elementary, secondary, adult, and/or higher education)
• Nominated by a person who has worked, observed, and/or collaborated with the nominee.

The nominator will submit materials about the nominee showing evidence of his or her ability to motivate and encourage ELLs as well as engage these students in productive and challenging learning.
The nominee will be evaluated based on materials that highlight his or her ability to:

• Utilize effective teaching strategies;
• Employ a wide variety of tools and instruments to assess and evaluate student achievement; 
• Promote the students’ social, emotional, and learning needs both inside and outside the classroom;
• Collaborate with colleagues, parents, and community members to better serve the needs of their ELL students and their families.

Supporting Documentation:

• The nominator must submit a letter stating why the nominee’s work and accomplishments are special and worthy of being recognized statewide for this award.
• In addition, a second letter about the nominee providing relevant information about this person as a teacher must be submitted by one of the following:  a student, parent, colleague, administrator, community member, former superior, or a professional in another geographic area.
• Lastly, the nominator must submit a biographical sketch of the nominee, highlighting his or her professional development and growth as an educator. 

James A. Lydon Distinguished Service Award

Purpose: To honor a NYS TESOL member with a distinguished service record.

Criteria:

1. Membership in NYS TESOL.
2. Long-term service to the organization.
3. Service beyond full-filling the responsibilities of an office.
4. Service in a variety of capacities.

This award need not be offered annually and is not to be given to outgoing officers in the year in which they are terminating service.

Supporting documentation: A detailed statement from the nominator about the nominee’s service to NYS TESOL, including positions held and service above and beyond that of fulfilling responsibilities of an office.

To see the Outstanding Teacher Award rubric used for evaluation, click here. PDF

Recognition Award

Purpose: To reward and support our friends; to gain further awareness of NYS TESOL and our profession.

Criteria: Awarded to public officials (such as legislators, school board members, journalists) outside the profession who have acted to further the profession of TESOL and facilitate and foster the English-language acquisition of LEP students.

Supporting documentation: A detailed statement from the nominator describing:

1. the ways the nominee has acted to further the profession of TESOL and foster the English-language acquisition of LEP students;
2. how the nominee will benefit professionally from receiving this award; and
3. how the nominee’s experiences and activities are relevant to the field of ESOL

James E. Weaver Memorial Award

Purpose: A monetary award, used to partially defray conference expenses, given to an undergraduate or graduate student not yet in the profession or who has less than two years of teaching service in ESOL. The amount will be determined by the NYS TESOL Executive Board.

The recipient should epitomize the professional and personal integrity and commitment that James E. Weaver so strongly personified.

Criteria: The candidate should

1. be currently matriculated in an ESOL or ESOL-related undergraduate/ graduate program in New York State;
2. have clearly demonstrated excellence in coursework and promise as a teacher;
3. show some indication of professional involvement (membership in professional organizations, community service programs, presentations, etc.). Verification of this should be provided.

Supporting documentation:

1. A brief statement from the nominator describing why the nominee should receive the award.
2. The nominee’s educational affiliation.
3. A brief statement, written by the nominee, explaining why he or she is preparing to enter the field.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Purpose: To honor a member of NYS TESOL who has shown dedication to the profession of NYS TESOL and the advancement of English Language Learners. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who is retiring or making a transition from a long, distinguished career in ESOL teaching.

Criteria:

1. Membership in NYS TESOL.
2. ESOL professional retiring from at least 30 years in the profession.

Supporting documentation: A detailed statement from the nominator describing

1. the ways the nominee has shown commitment to the profession
2. the achievements he or she has made within his/her professional ESOL career.

Special Awards

Special Awards are given as the occasion warrants.

Award Nomination Guidelines

Nominators should submit the following materials:

1. The award for which you are making the nomination.
2. Name, address, telephone, title or position, and membership status in NYS TESOL of both nominee and nominator.
3. NYS TESOL members may not nominate themselves for any of the above awards.

Submissions Due: Sept 10, 2010

Meredith Van Schuyler
Awards Chair
awards@nystesol.org