2020

CNYCSS Social Studies Educator Awards

Guidelines and Criteria

Click here for the online nomination form

Click here to download a pdf of the Awards Nomination Form

Click here to download a pdf of the Guidelines and Criteria

The CNYCSS invites all members of our social studies community to consider nominating a colleague for one of our Social Studies Educator Awards. The purpose of our awards is to recognize exceptional social studies teachers in our Central New York school community. Nominating a teacher who strives to go above and beyond is a wonderful way to show them that their commitment to teaching and learning has not gone unnoticed. Our support of excellence in the classroom contributes to the professional growth of all teachers. 

Please review the following award categories and think about nominating a colleague:

A. Roger Sipher Beginning Teacher Award:

• 5 years or less in teaching profession
• Nominee may be either an elementary or secondary teacher

B. Outstanding Social Studies Educator Award

• Elementary Educator Award: Candidate should be a K-5 teacher or librarian
• Middle School Educator Award: Candidate should be a 6-8 teacher or librarian
• High School Educator Award: Candidate should be a 9-12 teacher or librarian

• Can be an educator at any level, including higher education
• Someone who has made a significant and unique contribution to the field of social studies in our area

Additional Criteria for All Awards

• Anyone may nominate; self-nominations are accepted
• Nominees must be a member of CNYCSS
• Nominees may not be nominated in more than one category
• Nominees should display the highest professional standards of scholarship, leadership and activity in social studies
• Nominees should demonstrate exceptional abilities in:
• Developing and using instructional materials and strategies creatively and effectively
• Utilizing the NYS Social Studies Framework and the CCLS for Literacy
• Fostering a spirit of inquiry and the development of democratic beliefs, values, skills needed for citizenship in school and community
• Participating in professional growth opportunities such as workshops, curriculum development, committees, and other association activities

Nomination Requirements:

Nomination is a two part process:

Part 1: Submit a nomination form, either online or in hard copy, with all pertinent information and a letter stating the rationale for the nomination. This information is due no later than Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

Part 2: The following supporting documentation is required:

• A letter of support/recommendation from a peer or supervisor supporting the nominee
• The nominee’s Resume or Curriculum Vitae including
• a description of nominee's current teaching assignment
• other awards or recognition
• service to the school, local, or social studies community through committees or activities
• Optional supporting documentation:
• additional letters of support
• reproductions of newspaper articles
• teaching evaluations
• personally developed teaching materials
• Please review the contents of your submission carefully! Nomination materials that are incomplete or that do not meet the established criteria will not be considered. The Awards Committee reserves the right to remove from consideration any application that fails to meet all submission requirements. Quality of composition, spelling, and grammar is a consideration in the evaluation.
• Deadline: Submitted online or postmarked by Wednesday, April 8, 2020.
• Send hard copy forms to:

Distinguished Teacher Awards Committee

Attn: Sarah Schultheis

1732 Fyler Road

Chittenango, New York 13037

sschultheis@chittenangoschools.org