MSA Teacher of the Year Program

Nominees must be full-time magnet teachers (including specialists, resource/lead teachers) who:

• Have served as a teacher at one or more PreK-12 or K-12 Magnet school(s) for a minimum of three years;
• Demonstrate and encourage creativity and innovation in curriculum;
• Foster cooperation between the classroom and the community;
• Maintain a continuing dialogue with students and parents as well as other staff;
• Keep abreast of developments in the field of education;
• Encourage team spirit;
• Maintain their position as magnet teacher through-out the 2018-2019 school year; and has the ability to travel and represent Magnet Schools of America as an Ambassador for the 2018-2019 school year if selected as National Magnet Teacher of the Year.

ALL PREVIOUS MONETARY WINNERS are NOT eligible for five (5) years after the award.

• Nomination for Teacher of the Year must by submitted by the district Magnet Director.
• Only MSA Members/Districts may submit candidate nominations.
• Districts may submit only one candidate.
• Nomination materials:
  • The Magnet Teacher of the Year Signatures Page, download here;
  • Applicant Information, complete online;
  • Description of each Application Criteria (Narrative), see next tab, complete online;
  • A letter of nomination explaining why the nominee is deserving of the award, signed (upload online as a PDF);
  • Three letters of recommendation including one from a parent, one from a community partner, AND one from a co-worker or an administrator, letters must be signed (upload online as separate PDFs);
  • A professional resume (upload online as a PDF); and
  • An applicant photo – head shot (upload as .jpg, .jpeg, or .png).

The following information will be ENTERED ONLINE during the submission process.  The narrative for each criteria must be completed by the candidate or nominator.

in no more than 700 words

Educational History and Professional Development Activities:

• Colleges and Universities attended, including post-graduate studies, indicating degrees earned and dates of attendance;
• Teaching employment history indicating time period, grade level, and subject area(s);
• Professional association memberships and information about offices held and other relevant activities that demonstrate on-going learning and leadership in education;
• Professional development leadership activity and leadership experience in the training of future leaders;
• Conferences and workshops attended and presentations made that demonstrate leadership within the magnet school field and;
• Awards and other recognition of teaching accomplishments.

in no more than 400 words

Professional Biography:

• Factors that influenced you to become a teacher and;
• Description of what you consider being your greatest education contributions and accomplishments as a magnet teacher.

in no more than 600 words

Community/Parental Involement:

• Describe your commitment to the community through service-oriented activities such as volunteer work, civic responsibilities, and other group activities;
• Describe how you have worked to develop community partnerships into your magnet theme lessons and;
• Describe how you encourage magnet parents to play a role in your classroom.

in no more than 600 words

Philosophy of Teaching:

• Describe your personal feelings and beliefs about teaching, including ideas about working with equity and diversity within the classroom and;
• Describe one unique unit that you teach and have developed, that aligns with your magnet theme(s).

in no more than 950 words

Teaching Profession:

• Efforts that you have taken to strengthen and improve the magnet teaching profession;
• Describe how you build capacity with your colleagues by mentoring newer teachers in the magnet mission;
• Describe a lesson or unit that you teach that differentiates various student learning styles. Give special attention to technology, if you can;
• Describe how you bring diverse groups of learners together to work for a common goal in your classroom; and
• Describe how you collaborate with other teachers to foster the interaction of students between/among grade levels.

in no more than 950 words

Teaching Profession:

• Efforts that you have taken to strengthen and improve the magnet teaching profession;
• Describe how you build capacity with your colleagues by mentoring newer teachers in the magnet mission;
• Describe a lesson or unit that you teach that differentiates various student learning styles. Give special attention to technology, if you can;
• Describe how you bring diverse groups of learners together to work for a common goal in your classroom; and
• Describe how you collaborate with other teachers to foster the interaction of students between/among grade levels.