Announcing …
The Roger L. Wallace Excellence in Teaching Award
Call for Nominations
for the first year of this annual award
Elementary teachers, instructional paraprofessionals, and parents of students currently in the elementary schools of Amherst and Pelham are invited to nominate an outstanding teacher to receive this award. You are encouraged to collaborate with others in making nominations.
A group of parents, alumni and retired educators, partnering with the Amherst Education Foundation, the Social Justice Education Program at UMass, and collaborating with the Amherst Public Schools, has created this award to honor Amherst and Pelham elementary teachers and recognize excellence in teaching! We are raising money to create an endowment of $25,000 so that one teacher can be honored each year and the award can continue into perpetuity. The award will include a stipend of $750 in the first year, and a stipend based on the income from the endowment each year thereafter.
Nominations are due April 1, 2013.
In order to nominate an outstanding teacher, please submit:
- A brief written description of how the nominee meets each of the selection criteria (See below and see attached nomination form.): 1-3 pages
- A letter of recommendation from a second person: 1-3 pages
Nomination documents will be accepted in any language. Nominations should be e-mailed to: wallace.teaching.award@gmail.com, or sent to “Wallace Excellence in Teaching Award”, PO Box 3670, Amherst, MA 01004 and must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2013.
Nominiations should include the name and school of the person being nominated, the name and contact info for the nominator, and a description in 1-3 pages of how the nominee meets each of the Selection Criteria below. A 1-3 page letter of recommendation from a second nominator is also required.
Criteria for Selection
1. The Nominee demonstrates thorough knowledge of the elementary school curriculum and prepares students for the society of the present and the future.
2. The Nominee teaches in an engaging and challenging manner appropriate for elementary school students.
3. The Nominee encourages students’ self-confidence and a passion for learning.
4. The Nominee demonstrates a social justice commitment, visible in actions that promote equity in the classroom and ensure equitable benefits for all students.
5. The Nominee builds strong relationships with students, setting high standards for their personal and academic achievement and supporting them in reaching and even surpassing these goals.
6. The Nominee works closely with parents, collaborating with them in the growth and development of students.
7. The Nominee shares skills and information with other educational professionals, and continues to grow and learn as a teacher.
Selection Process
1. Nominations should be e-mailed to: wallace.teaching.award@gmail.com, or sent to “Wallace Excellence in Teaching Award”, PO Box 3670, Amherst, MA 01004 and must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2013.
2. The Principal of the school where each nominee teaches will be asked to indicate whether or not, in his or her judgment, each nominee meets the selection criteria, and to offer other comments on the nominee.
3. The Selection Committee (composed of one representative from each of the three Partner Organizations: the Amherst Education Foundation, the Social Justice Education program at UMass -Amherst School of Education, and the Wallace Award Committee) will review all nominations and principal input. Using the Selection Criteria the Committee will select 2 – 5 names to put on the ballot.
4. All professional staff (excluding administrators) and instructional paraprofessionals working in the elementary school buildings (not Central Office) at least half-time may cast a ballot. (The Selection Committee will decide on the form of the ballot.) The results of the balloting will determine the recipient of the award. Voting will occur in May. There will be one recipient each year, beginning in the Fall of 2013.
Eligibility
1. The nominee must have taught for at least three years in the Amherst and/or Pelham elementary schools.
2. This award is to be made for excellence in teaching, not simply for excellence in any of the other important roles in a school. Recognizing that individuals with many different job titles may, in fact, teach, eligibility is open to any employee (excepting an administrator) who works at least half-time in the elementary school buildings, including those who work in multiple school buildings.
3. The nominee must be currently teaching in the Amherst and/or Pelham elementary schools and be expecting to continue to teach in our elementary schools in the school year following the school year of nomination. (Exceptions may be made for teachers who have provided long-time excellent service and may be retiring).
Notes
- While excellence in teaching will always be the primary criterion, the Selection Committee is charged with ensuring that over time the awardees represent a diversity of identities and that teachers from all the schools are recognized.
- This award is named in honor of Roger Wallace, who retired last year after 39 years of excellent teaching in our elementary schools.
- Please address questions to the Wallace Award Committee, c/o Pat Romney, 413-253-5630 or e-mail: Wallace.teaching.award@gmail.com.
- We will gratefully acknowledge each nomination that we receive.
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