California Teachers of the Year
Established in 1972, the overall purpose of the California Teachers of the Year Program is to pay tribute to California’s teaching force, the complexity of challenges that confront our schools, and the need to promote collaboration and teamwork to meet those challenges. In doing so, the program brings deserved recognition to the 300,000 California members of the teaching profession. Candidates for the honor are submitted by county offices of education, which conduct regional competitions.
The overall program’s goals are to:
- Identify and honor exemplary and highly qualified teachers throughout California within a structure of local, regional, and statewide recognition activities.
- Make the application process accessible to all teachers in the state.
- Encourage the participation of teachers in local and county selection processes who reflect the rich diversity of their students.
- Increase the participation of small or underrepresented counties.
- Select five articulate teachers to serve as California Teachers of the Year for 2011 who will effectively represent the state's teachers; motivate and inspire other educators; and champion the positive contributions of the teaching profession.
- Identify one teacher for competition in the National Teacher of the Year Program.
For information on the California Teachers of the Year Program, contact Kimberly Edwards, Education Programs Consultant, Awards Unit, by phone at 916-319-0866 or by e-mail at kedwards@cde.ca.gov. Additional information is available on the California Department of Education Teachers of the Year Web page.
Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards
Each year, a handful of up-and-coming California educators are selected by the Milken Family Foundation for this significant award. The majority of recipients are classroom teachers who are relatively new to the profession. State Departments of Education across the nation assist in some aspects of candidate screening and notification on behalf of this non-profit foundation. There is no nomination process for this award.
For further information about this program, please see the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards Web page (Outside Source).
For information regarding the Milken National Educator Network, contact Kimberly Edwards, Education Programs Consultant, Awards Unit, by phone at 916-319-0866 or by e-mail at kedwards@cde.ca.gov.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through grade twelve mathematics or science teacher may receive. In addition to honoring individual achievement, the goal of the award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in mathematics and science education.
The PAEMST program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The program honors outstanding science and mathematics teachers from every state and the four U.S. jurisdictions. Each year, California can recommend two mathematics teachers and two science teachers for PAEMST consideration. Since the program’s beginning 26 years ago, 78 California teachers have been named Presidential Award recipients.
Elementary and secondary teachers are recognized in alternate years.
For more information on PAEMST, contact Jim Miller, Education Research and Evaluation Consultant, Awards Unit, by phone at 916-319-0600 or by e-mail at paemst@cde.ca.gov. Additional information is available on the California Department of Education (CDE) Presidential Awards for Math and Science Teaching Web page.
Classified School Employee of the Year
In 2008, CDE initiated the Classified School Employee of the Year Program (CSEY). The overall purpose of the CSEY Program is to pay tribute to the tireless efforts of our state's outstanding classified school employees. Classified employees are vital staff members who play key roles in creating a school environment that promotes student achievement, safety, and health.
This program identifies and honors six exemplary classified school employees representing one of six distinct employment categories: child nutrition; maintenance, operations, and facilities; transportation; para-educator and instructional assistance; office and technical services; and support services and security. The award recipients are honored at a luncheon, hosted by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, during the annual statewide Classified School Employee Week.
The award program is sponsored by the CDE in partnership with the Association of California School Administrators, the California Association of School Business Officials, the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, the California Federation of Teachers, the California School Boards Association, the California School Employees Association, the California Teachers Association, and the Service Employees International Union.
For more information regarding the program, contact Cynthia Henninger, Research Analyst II, Awards Unit, by phone at 916-319-0413 or by e-mail at chenning@cde.ca.gov. Additional information is available on the CDE Classified School Employee of the Year Web page.
