We are now beginning the process of selecting an IEA member (including teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff) as a nominee for the annual NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence. Illinois is an educational leader and our members do exemplary work. We urge you to select an applicant, or applicants, from your region who you, your members and IEA staff feel might qualify as the Illinois nominee. Each NEA affiliate is limited to submitting just one member as a nominee.
All state affiliate nominees receive The I CAN Learn Awards for Teaching Excellence, which fund their travel to The NEA Foundation’s Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in February 2009 in Washington, DC. Five of the affiliate nominees will receive The Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence, which include $10,000 cash and expenses-paid travel to the gala. The five nominees are also considered finalists for the national honor, The NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence, which is presented at the gala to one of the finalists. This award includes an additional $25,000 in cash and a personalized commemorative gift.
If you have members that you feel would qualify as a recipient of the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence, please ask them to complete all application criteria (see attached) and submit it to my office no later than Monday, February 4. The application package must be date stamped no later than February 2. The IEA finalist will be chosen by February 18 and will be recognized at the IEA Representative Assembly in Rosemont, Illinois, March 6-8, 2008.
Please be sure those members that apply are aware that, if selected, he/she would be asked to attend the RA on Friday, March 7, with very short advance notice.