The CEC Special Education Lifetime Achievement Award

• Nominations must be made by an individual who is currently, or has, been employed in the field of education/special education, or CEC-affiliated organization (i.e., Unit, Local or Student Chapter, Division, or Subdivision) that has direct knowledge of the nominee’s work supporting students and teachers, as described above.
• Self-nominations are not accepted.
• All nomination materials must be submitted online by 12:00 pm Eastern, October 23, 2023.  
• The nomination form is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/63JJ62C. 
• Supporting materials can be uploaded into the online nomination form as PDF (strongly preferred), doc, docx files or video link. If you are unable to upload any documents, please email them to Sharon Rodriguez. Alternatively, responses can be typed into the online form.
• Please use file name(s) to clearly indicate reference to the nominee and award. 
• (e.g., “Smith_Lifetime_Award.docx” or “Smith_Lifetime_Nomination.docx”).
• All materials become the property of CEC and will not be returned.
• Posthumous nominations are NOT accepted.   

Nominate Online

Required Materials 

• Letter/Video of Nomination
  • Describe the nominee's contributions to the field of special education in any, or up to all, of the following areas:
    • Strong emphasis on leadership competencies that have a positive impact on the education system
    • Effective personnel preparation and/or retention or workforce diversification
    • DEIA initiatives (related to practice/instruction, professional development, etc.)
    • Development of effective programs or services (e.g., identification, assessment, instruction)
    • Bridging research and practice
    • Professional development and/or publications
    • Implementation of improved teaching techniques
    • Improved evaluation procedures
    • Improved administrative procedures
  • Letter word limit: 1000 words 
  • Video time limit: 8 minutes
• Letters/Videos of Support   
  • Three letters of support (in addition to the nominator’s statement) addressing the nominee’s efforts in meeting the award criteria. 
  • Letter word limit: 750 words
  • Video time limit: 5 minutes
• Vita/Résumé of Nominee  

Selection Considerations 

The CEC Honors Committee has the authority to give only one Lifetime Achievement Award or opt not to grant the award in any given year.  

Recipient Recognition and Benefits

The award recipient(s) will be:  

• provided with complimentary registration to attend the CEC 2024 Convention & Expo, March 13 – 16, 2024, in San Antonio, TX.
• recognized, and receive a commemorative plaque, at an Awards Luncheon during the CEC 2024 Convention & Expo on Thursday, March 14th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm;
• given a $500 cash honorarium; and 
• featured in a press release on the CEC website (https://exceptionalchildren.org) 

Questions? 

Please contact Sharon Rodriguez.