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TSTA/NEA Awards Programs

TSTA offers several opportunities to recognize outstanding educators, education support personnel, regional and local associations, media representatives, businesses, and other individuals or organizations that support public education. Recognize your peers and community partners in education through TSTA’s annual awards program. Winners are presented awards at the TSTA House of Delegates.

Nominations for the following awards must be submitted to the Organizing Center for Public Affairs by the deadline indicated in order to be eligible for an award in the current year. For details or nomination forms call 877-ASK-TSTA, ext. 1292 or email clairem@tsta.org.

Instructional Awards (Deadline: Plan Submission November 1 / Documentation March 15)
Instructional Awards are noncompetitive awards to recognize local associations for planned activities and accomplishments that incorporate certain strands of the NEA Priority Schools Initiative into local planning. Three levels of award—Instructional, Executive Director and President—are available, depending on the number of initiatives included in the local plan. Go to Teaching & Learning for details.

School Bell Awards (Deadline: January 31)
Multiple award categories recognize outstanding media coverage of education issues and events. Categories of awards include: (1) Newspapers and Magazines, (2) Radio, (3) Television, and (4) Electronic Media. Nominations are accepted from any TSTA local or regional affiliate or by media self-nomination. Nominations should cover broadcast or publications over the calendar year (January 1 – December 31). Download our School Bell Awards instruction booklet  and the nomination form, both in PDF format. Nominations should be returned to: TSTA Organizing Center for Public Affairs, 316 West 12th Street, Austin, TX 78701.

Pride in Communications Awards (Deadline: March 1)
Pride in Communications awards recognize outstanding local/regional association newsletters and web sites. Entries are judged on the extent to which the local and/or regional association programs are identified and explained. If you have someone you'd like to nominate, download the entry form (PDF format). Entries should be returned to: TSTA Communications, 316 West 12th Street, Austin, TX 78701.

Nominations for the following awards must be submitted to the Organizing Center for Executive and Governance (CEG) by the deadline indicated in order to be eligible for an award in the current year. For details or nomination forms call 877-ASK-TSTA, ext. 1510 or email carolm@tsta.org.

Ronnie Ray ESP Advocate of the Year Award (Deadline: September 30 by 5:00 pm)
This award recognizes a TSTA educational support professional (ESP) whose activities reflect the contributions of ESP’s to public education, particularly in one or more of the following areas: (1) innovations to support the day-to-day educational process; (2) professional achievements in his/her classification; (3) involvement in promoting public education in the community; (4) involvement in TSTA at the local, state, or national level; and (5) enhancement of the ESP image in their association, work site, or community. Nominees must have been an ESP member of TSTA for three years as of January 15. Nominations are accepted from regions and/or local affiliates (one per affiliate). The nomination form should be returned to: Ronnie Ray ESP Award Committee, c/o TSTA CEG, 316 West 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701.  

Friend of Education Award (Deadline: December 1)
This award recognizes either (1) an individual who is not a professional educator that has made a significant contribution to the cause of public education or (2) an organization/company outside the field of education that has made an outstanding contribution in the field of education. Nominations are accepted from any TSTA member, local association, region, or other recognized group--e.g., statewide or special committee or caucus. The nomination packet should consist of a nominating letter or memo and a biographical statement providing details about the major single accomplishment or career effort supporting the worthiness of the individual or organization/company to receive this award. Nominations should be returned to: Friend of Education Award Committee, c/o TSTA CEG, 316 West 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701.

Frank J. Tejeda Award for Public Service (Deadline: December 1)
This award recognizes an individual for service at the state or national political/legislative level on behalf of public school children or educational employees of Texas. Nominees must be elected or appointed officials who are not currently employed full-time by a school district. Nominations are accepted from any TSTA member or group of members or the award committee. The nomination packet should consist of a nominating letter or memo and supporting evidence of accomplishments related to the award. Nominations should be returned to: Frank J. Tejeda Award Committee, c/o TSTA CEG, 316 West 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701.

NEA Human and Civil Rights Award (Postmark Deadline: December 10)
TSTA encourages its members and local or regional affiliates or to nominate an individual, organization and/or a region or local affiliate for an NEA Human and Civil Rights Award. For further information on the individual award categories and forms, please view NEA’s website at www.nea.org/annualmeeting/hcrawards or write NEA Human and Civil Rights, 1201 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-3290 (202-822-7709).

Professional, Human, and Civil Rights Awards (Deadline: February 1)
Multiple award categories recognize Texas educators, TSTA local and regional associations, and other individuals or associations who are friends of education for distinguished service and contributions in promoting and/or encouraging professional and human rights activities. Nominations are accepted from any TSTA member, local or regional association, or statewide affiliate in the following categories:

1. Individual Award – educator who has made outstanding contributions to professional and human rights (nominee must be a TSTA member and be nominated by the local PHCR and executive committees).

2. Special Award – individual or organization inside or outside the area of education for outstanding contributions to professional and human rights (nominee does not have to be a member of TSTA unless eligible)

3. Mickey Leland Memorial Award – individual or organization that has initiated/participated in activities establishing an ongoing program or institution having a widespread social, educational, economic, or political impact, especially those projects that help the needy.

4. Willie Velasquez Memorial Award – individual or organization that has initiated/participated in activities to eradicate inequities based on race, gender, or ethnicity and to improve inter-group relations and understanding, especially those projects that help the politically disenfranchised become more involved in the political process.

The PHCR nomination form should be returned to: PHCR Awards Committee, c/o TSTA CEG, 316 West 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Each entry must be submitted on a separate nomination form.

Ermalee Boice Instructional Advocacy Award (Deadline: February 1 by 5:00 pm)
This award recognizes and promotes teaching excellence based on the following criteria: professional practice, advocacy for the profession, community engagement, leadership in professional development, and attention to diversity. The recipient of this award will be submitted as TSTA’s nominee for the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence, so nominees for the Boice award should comply with the guidelines provided for the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence (www.neafoundation.org). All TSTA members are eligible for nomination provided they are also members of their local and the NEA. The nomination packet should be returned to: Ermalee Boice Award Committee, c/o TSTA CEG, 316 West 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701.