Horace Mann Friend of Education Awards

Nomination Form

Nine Categories:

I. Journalism

A. Print: The nominee is employed in print journalism. The award recognition should be based around a story/stories involving an educational or Missouri NEA organizational issue. The affiliate and/or individual nominating should attempt to submit examples of the story/stories.

B. Radio: The nominee is employed in radio. The award recognition should be based around a story/stories involving an educational or Missouri NEA organizational issue. The affiliate and/or individual nominating should attempt to submit a detailed description of the nominee.

C. Television: The nominee is employed in television. The award recognition should be based around a story/stories involving an educational or Missouri NEA organizational issue. The affiliate and/or individual nominating should attempt to submit a detailed description of the nominee.

II. Legislation

The nominee is an elected federal or state official who has worked for the passage of important educational legislation. The affiliate and/or individual nominating should list in detail the education legislation accomplishments of the nominee.

III. Organizational

A. Corporate: The project sponsored by the corporation is devoted to an educational purpose or aspect. This could include direct help to students. Corporations assisting Missouri NEA either at the local or state level to obtain goals are also eligible. No Missouri NEA local affiliate is eligible for the award. The affiliate and/or individual nominating should describe in detail the actions of the organization which make it deserving of the award.

B. Civic: The project sponsored by the civic organization is devoted to an educational purpose or aspect. This could include direct help to students. Organizations assisting Missouri NEA either at the local or state level to obtain goals are also eligible. No Missouri NEA local affiliate is eligible for the award. The affiliate and/or individual nominating should describe in detail the actions of the organization which make it deserving of the award.

IV. Individual Contribution to Education

The nominee must not have been teaching at the time the action(s) being honored took place. The nominee must have through his/her actions advanced the cause of education in a district and/or directly helped Missouri NEA or an affiliate. The affiliate and/or individual nominating should describe in detail the action of the nominee which make him/her deserving of the award.

V. Teacher*

Nominee must be an active classroom teacher, counselor, librarian, specialist, etc. and a Missouri NEA member during the year in which the award applies. The nominee should have exhibited outstanding performance as an educator and be a model for other educators to follow. The affiliate and/or individual nominating should provide a detailed summary of why the nominee is an outstanding educator.

The nominee must submit a statement that answers the following questions:

1. What do you consider to be the most successful innovation that you have introduced in your classroom or school?

2. What strategies and/or methods do you use to ensure that all students achieve at a high level?

3. How has your involvement in the National Education Association or the Missouri NEA contributed to your success as an educator?

4. How would you persuade a new colleague to join or become more active in the Association?

5. In what other ways do you serve as an advocate for public education?

The winner of this award shall be a finalist in considering who Missouri NEA will nominate for the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence.

VI. Education Support Professional*

The nominee must be an active educational support professional and a Missouri NEA member during the year in which the award applies. The nominee should have exhibited outstanding performance at the worksite and be a model for other education support professional to follow. The affiliate and/or individual nominating should provide a detailed summary of why the nominee is an outstanding educational support professional.

The nominee must submit a statement that answers the following questions:

1. What do you consider to be the most successful innovation that you have introduced in your classroom or school?

2. What strategies and/or methods do you use to ensure that all students achieve at a high level? (What do you do to help students succeed?)

3. How has your involvement in the National Education Association or the Missouri NEA contributed to your success as an educator?

4. How would you persuade a new colleague to join or become more active in the Association?

5. In what other ways do you serve as an advocate for public education?

The winner of this award shall be a finalist in considering who Missouri NEA will nominate for the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence.

Nomination Procedures:

Missouri NEA Board members, staff and other personnel hired by Missouri NEA are ineligible for this award.

Nominations should be submitted in writing to the Missouri NEA President by Dec. 15. The Board of Directors will determine award winners. Awards will not necessarily be given in each category each year. Awards will be presented at the Spring Representative Assembly.

All nominations should include:

1. Category for which nominated.

2. Name, home address, work address (where it applies), home phone, work phone (where it applies).

3. Qualifications of candidate.

4. Description of actions meriting the award -- can include samples of actual work.

5. Nominator's name, address, phone and local.

6. A maximum of three other endorsement letters can be attached.

For Teacher and ESP nominees, a statement must be included that answers the questions noted above.

*The winners of the Horace Mann Friend of Education Awards in the categories of Teacher and Education Support Personnel shall be the finalists in considering who Missouri NEA will nominate for the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. The Board of Directors will determine the nominee after they have selected the winners of the Horace Mann Awards for Teacher and Education Support Professional. This selection will occur at the Board's January meeting.