Everyone loves a pat on the back or little applause now and then! Recognizing the special efforts of your staff, students, and community is an important way to enhance relations and build support for your district--plus it's a great feeling! Listed below are links to various recognition/awards programs that may suit your district's needs.

Districts & Campuses

CoSN TEAM Awards (Scholastic Administrator Magazine)-Recognizes a team in a school district or consortium of school districts and education agencies whose impact on technology's role in transforming learning has been significant.

NCLB Blue Ribbon Schools Program (U.S. Department of Education)-A national recognition program established in 1982 to celebrate some of America's most successful schools and promote and support the improvement of education in America.

Sylvia Charp Award (T.H.E. Journal and International Society for Technology in Education)-Recognizes a school district that has shown effectiveness and innovation in the application of technology districtwide.

TCEA Educator Awards

District or Campus Administrator of the Year (Texas Computer Education Association)-Presented to a district or campus administrator who recognizes the importance of technology in the teaching and learning process and actively promotes the use of technology on the campus or throughout the district

Library Media Specialist of the Year (Texas Computer Education Association)-Recognize a Texas certified librarian who actively promotes the integration of technology in the Library Media Center and works collaboratively with administrators, teachers, and students to promote and support the integration of technology throughout the curriculum.)

Instructional Technology Specialist of the Year (Texas Computer Education Association)-Created to recognize exemplary personnel who make a significant contribution toward the successful use of technology on one or more campuses in technology planning and curriculum integration; may include, but is not limited to, instructional teacher technologists, technology specialists, technology trainers, and technology facilitators.

Technical Support Person of the Year (Texas Computer Education Association)-Recognizes exemplary support personnel who make significant contributions by providing technical support to facilitate the successful use of technology on a campus or at the district level.

Technology Administrator of the Year (Texas Computer Education Association)-Recognizes exemplary support personnel who make significant contributions by providing technical support to facilitate the successful use of technology on a campus or at the district level.

Administrators

AASA National Superintendent of the Year Program (AASA, ARAMARK Education, and ING)-A national recognition program established in 1988 to recognize outstanding administrators who have demonstrated all-around outstanding leadership.

AASA Educational Administration Scholarship Award-Created in 1949 to provide incentive, honor, and financial assistance to outstanding graduate students in school administration who intend to make the school superintendency a career.

CoSN Withrow CTO Award (Scholastic Administrator Magazine)-Recognizes a chief technology officer/district technology leader who is a true technology champion.

Golden Deeds for Education Award (Administrative Leadership Institute, Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development at Texas A&M University; TASA; and PBK Architects)-Recognizes an individual who has, through actions and deeds, improved the educational system in Texas to enrich the lives of all Texas public school students.

John R. Hoyle Award for Educational Leadership (Administrative Leadership Institute, Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development at Texas A&M University; TASA; and PBK Architects)-Honors a professional educator who has made a difference in the lives of youth and for the betterment of society.

TASB Superintendent of the Year Program-Established in 1984 to honor outstanding Texas administrators for achievement and excellence in public school administration.

TCEA Educator Awards

Superintendent of the Year (Texas Computer Education Association)-Presented to a superintendent who recognizes the importance of technology in the teaching and learning process and actively promotes the use of technology throughout the district.

Lifetime Achievement (Texas Computer Education Association)-Presented to a professional educator who has worked tirelessly to advance the use of technology in education.

Tech-Savvy Superintendent Awards (Promethean, Pearson Foundation, K12 Inc.)-Recognize K-12 executives for leadership and vision in the area of educational technology.

Board Members

TASA's School Board Awards Program-Created in 1971 to recognize school boards that have demonstrated outstanding dedication and rendered ethical service to the children of Texas.
2009 Program--Weatherford ISD was named Outstanding School Board at the TASB/TASA Convention in Houston.

School Board Recognition Month-January is School Board Recognition Month, with a goal of building awareness of the crucial role an elected board of trustees plays in our communities and schools.

Principals

District TEPSANs of the Year (Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association)-Recognizes an active full-time Texas public school administrator/supervisor in each district for outstanding service in grades Pre-K-8 who has been a TEPSA member for at least five years.

District Assistant Principals of the Year (Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association)-Recognizes a district assistant principal in each district who is a current member of TEPSA; is in his/her second year (minimum) as an assistant principal; and holds a lifetime mid-management , standard mid-management, or standard principal certificate.

H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards (H-E-B with assistance from TASA)-Celebrates and honors the contributions of public school principals in three award categories: Elementary, Middle, and High School.

National Distinguished Principals Program (U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals)-Established in 1984 to recognize exemplary elementary and middle-level principals in corporate partnership with the Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC).

TASSP Outstanding Principal of the Year (Texas Association of Secondary School Principals)-Recognizes principals and assistant principals for their outstanding achievements.

Teachers

H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards (H-E-B with Assistance from TASA)-Celebrates and honors the contributions of public school educators in three award categories: Rising Star (less than 10 years of service), Leadership (10 to 20 years of service), and Lifetime Achievement (more than 20 years of service).

Milken National Educator Award (Milken Family Foundation)-Established in 1985 to provide public recognition for and financial rewards to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals, and other education professionals who are furthering excellence in education.

TCEA Educator Award: Classroom Teacher of the Year (Texas Computer Education Association)-Presented to a teacher who exhibits exemplary use of technology in the classroom; the teacher recognizes and uses a wide variety of technology tools to enhance the learning of all students.

Texas Teacher of the Year (Texas Education Agency)-Each fall the program honors two State Teachers of the Year-one in elementary and one in secondary education--and Regional Teachers of the Year from each of the 20 education service center regions.  The program's mission is to select outstanding classroom teachers who also are able to speak for, motivate, and exemplify the contributions of all teachers.

Students

Discover Card Scholarships-Discover® Card is awarding nearly $1.5 million in scholarships to high school juniors as part of the Discover Card Tribute Award® Scholarship program. (NOTE: TASA and AASA are no longer affiliated with this program)

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for Middle Level and High School Youth Volunteers (Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals)-Created in 1995 to recognize students in grades 5-12 who have given generously of their time and talents as volunteers to make a difference in their community.

Community/Parents/Volunteers

Best of Texas Awards (Texas Education Agency Communities in Schools State Advisory Committee)-Recognizes 12 individuals (including superintendents, principals, and teachers) who contribute in various ways towards a common goal of keeping Texas youth in school and better prepared for a postsecondary education.

Heroes for Children (State Board of Education)-Established in 1994 to recognize individuals who volunteer time, effort, and support to public schools and students, and who advocate for students and public education in Texas; given annually in recognition of outstanding service and dedication to helping provide each Texas student with a meaningful, positive learning experience in school.

Add to Our List!
Do you know of a recognition/awards program that should be added to this site? Please send us your suggestions! Include a brief description and related URL.

Contact: Ann M. Halstead, assistant executive director, Communications & Information Systems