Vermont-NEA will select and honor one of its active members each year in order to celebrate teaching excellence, public education, and our dedicated school workforce. The award will recognize, reward, and promote excellence in public school teaching and underscore high standards of service to students and to the teaching profession. The winner will represent Vermont in the national competition for the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. All active teacher and Education Support Professional (ESP) members of Vermont-NEA are eligible. Vermont-NEA statewide officers and Board Directors are ineligible for this award during their years of service on the Board. Nominations are judged according to these criteria: professional practice; advocacy for the profession; commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice; family and community engagement; and leadership in professional development. Nominees must submit the Data Sheet. Nominees must also submit a nomination letter from the state or local affiliate president explaining why the awardee deserves the award, citing as many specific examples as possible. The nominee's statement and resume are also required. Up to 3 letters of endorsement must also be submitted. The letters must be written by the nominee's local affiliate president, colleagues, current or former students, parents, or community members. Applications may be submitted through email or mail. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Vermont-NEA for more information.