In order to encourage innovation and excellence in the classroom, the AWARE Foundation, "Arlington Will Award and Recognize (educational) Excellence" shall grant monetary awards to teachers who have demonstrated excellence in teaching. Multiple winners and runners-up for the AWARE Award of Excellence are selected from grade levels typically grouped as follows: Pre-kindergarten through 1st grade, 2nd through 4th grades, 5th and 6th grades, Junior High School, and High School. The Foundation reserves the right to determine the number of categories and the grade levels within each category based on the number of nominations received. Each winner receives a check for $3,000 and each runner-up receives a check for $1,500. Teachers shall be involved in classroom instruction working directly with students. Awards are limited to actively employed Arlington ISD teachers regardless of specialty, race, color, religion, national origin, age or sex. Nominees must have a minimum of two years teaching experience.
AWARDS WILL BE MADE TO THOSE NOMINEES WHO EXEMPLIFY MANY, BUT NOT NECESSARILY ALL, OF THE SELECTION CRITERIA.
Nominations may be made by students, parents, fellow teachers, administrators, or community members. Self nomination or nomination by a family member will not be accepted.
Selection Criteria
The criteria for the AWARE Foundation Awards of Excellence are as follows:
1. Teachers who create, develop, utilize, adapt, and/or implement exceptional and/or creative approaches that enhance learning in AISD classroms on a regular basis.
2. Teachers who foster a love of learning in their students.
3. Teachers who model excellence and motivate students to do their best within the classroom.
4. Teachers whose positive influence on students extends beyond their classroom experience.
Selection Process
The AWARE Selection Committee will review all the nomination packets that have the required information. Classroom observations will be made followed by a narrowing down phase. Interviews will be conducted at the end of the process after finalists have been determined. Although a teacher may win only once, there is no limit to the number of times a teacher may be nominated prior to winning.
The winners are recommended by the Selection Committee to the AWARE Foundation Board of Directors, which reserves the right of final approval of any nomination or selection.
THE NOMINATION PACKET BECOMES THE PROPERTY OF THE AWARE FOUNDATION. A copy of the packet may be made available to the nominee after the banquet.
