The CEC Teacher of the Year Award

Learn more about the Unified Teacher of the Year Nomination Process for CEC Units.

Nomination Instructions

• 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, September 23, 2024.
• The nomination form is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RZ6GGNY 
• 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_TOY_Award.docx” or “Smith_TOY_Nomination.docx”).
• All materials become the property of CEC and will not be returned.
• Posthumous nominations are NOT accepted. 

Required Materials 

The nomination is divided into the following sections: 

• Nominee’s Work 
  • Describe how the nominee's instructional practices or programs result in an effective learning environment and how they are appropriate and individualized for students. Include any collaborative efforts with other teachers in which the nominee is involved. 
    • Letter word limit: 750 words
    • Video time limit: 5 minutes
  • Describe how the nominee provides an engaging environment for diverse students (e.g., different learning styles, disabilities and/or gifts and talents, cultural and/or linguistic differences). 
    • Letter word limit: 750 words
    • Video time limit: 5 minutes
• Nominee’s Statement 
  • Describe a lesson or unit that defines you as a special education teacher. How did you engage students of all backgrounds and abilities in learning? How did that learning influence your students? How are your beliefs about teaching demonstrated in this lesson or unit?  
    • Letter word limit: 500 words
    • Video time limit: 3 minutes
• Letter of Support 
  • Please include one letter/video of support from a colleague, supervisor, or other professional (separate from the nominator) documenting the nominee’s efforts in meeting the award criteria. 
    • Letter word limit: 250 words
    • Video time limit: 2 minutes
• Nominee’s vita/resume or biographical information
  • Key elements for a bio include: Education, Experience (Job History/Brief Job Descriptions), Skills/Certifications/Special Training, Community Service/Leadership. The information could also include items such as what led the nominee to a career in education, their teaching philosophy, etc.

Selection Considerations 

The CEC Honors Committee has the authority to give only one CEC Teacher of the Year Award annually or opt not to grant the award in any given year.

Recipient Recognition and Benefits

The award recipient will be:  

• provided with complimentary registration to attend the CEC 2025 Convention & Expo, March 12 – 15, 2025, in Baltimore, MD.
• recognized, and receive a commemorative plaque, at an Awards Luncheon Thursday, March 13, 2025, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
• given a $500 cash honorarium; and 
• featured in a press release on the CEC website (https://exceptionalchildren.org) 

On behalf of the award sponsor, the recipient will also receive:

• Travel to, and hotel accommodations at, the CEC 2024 Convention & Expo
• A $2,000 cash award
• A $1,000 “use how you choose” classroom grant

CEC thanks Let’s Go Learn for its generous sponsorship of the 2024 Teacher of the Year Award.

Nominate Online