Awards

The Colorado Council for the Social Studies is pleased to present several awards to honor outstanding social studies educators in Colorado. This year’s awards will again recognize educators in two categories:

CCSS Outstanding Educator Award

Outstanding Student Teacher Award

Colorado Council for the Social Studies Outstanding Educator Award

The annual Colorado Council for the Social Studies Outstanding Educator of the Year Awards recognize exceptional classroom social studies teachers for grades K-6 and 7-12 who teach social studies regularly and systematically in elementary school settings, and/or at least half-time in middle or junior high and high school settings. The purpose of the CCSS Outstanding Educator of the Year is to recognize a CCSS member whose classroom teachings and whose professional practices reflect the goals and purposes of an exemplary social studies education. Nominees should represent the very best in social studies education -- teachers we would be thrilled to have for our own children. If you or someone you know meets the following criteria, please nominate him or her! Note: Nomination deadline has been extended to March 31, 2012!

Each award recipient will receive:

• $500
• A plaque 
• A complimentary registration to the CCSS State Conference
• Recognition at the CCSS State Conference luncheon

Criteria

• Anyone may nominate. Self nominations will be accepted.
• Colorado Council for the Social Studies Membership is required.
• Social studies teachers for grades K-6, and 7-12 who teach social studies regularly and systematically in elementary school settings, and at least half time in middle/junior high and high school settings.
• The award is presented to one elementary and one secondary classroom social studies teacher who has demonstrated an exceptional ability to excel in at least five of the seven areas listed below:
  1. Developing and/or use instructional materials creatively and effectively.
  2. Incorporating innovative and /or verified effective instructional strategies and techniques.
  3. Utilizing new scholarship from history, the social sciences, or other appropriate fields.
  4. Utilizing the ten interrelated themes identified in NCSS curriculum standards: culture; time, continuity, and change; people, places, and environment; individual development and identity; individuals, groups, and institutions; power, authority, and governance; production, distribution, and consumption; science, technology, and society; global connections; and civic ideals and practices.
  5. Fostering a spirit of inquiry and the development of skills related to acquiring, organizing, processing, and using information and making decisions related to both domestic and international matters.
  6. Fostering the development of democratic beliefs and values, and the skills needed for citizenship participation appropriate to students in classroom, school, and community settings.
  7. Showing evidence of professional involvement through activities such as workshops, curriculum development, committees, and other association activities.

Required Documentation:
It is the responsibility of the nominator to provide all nomination materials, which include:

1. Letter of nomination (needed only if someone is nominating you for the award).
2. Letter(s) of support Letter(s) supporting your application from colleagues, supervisor(s), parents, and/or students.
3. Vita or professional resume prepared by the nominee
4. Evidence of teaching assignment. Description of nominee's teaching assignment (to verify eligibility).
5. Applicant narrative describing how he/she meets at least five criteria areas listed above (not to exceed four (4) one-sided double-spaced 8-1/2 x 11 pages).
6. Portfolio may include up to ten one-sided pages of documentation that supports the Applicant Narrative. Evidence might include clear reproductions of newspaper articles; teaching evaluations; a lesson or unit plan that was conceived, planned, implemented and measured through learner outcomes that highlight how the applicant has met the award's teaching criteria and possesses outstanding classroom practices.

Nomination Deadline March 31, 2012
Nominations should be mailed to:
Anton Schulzki
c/o William J. Palmer High School
301 North Nevada Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719-328-5054
or emailed to:
anton.schulzki@d11.org