NCTE Literacy Award

Overview

Established in 1989 as a vehicle for calling attention to admirable efforts to promote literacy in our country, the Literacy Award (given by the NCTE Executive Committee), recognizes and honors a prominent public figure outside the field of education (not primarily a professional educator) who has shown outstanding commitment to the educational development of young people in America and has made a significant difference in promoting and drawing public attention to the issue of literacy. 

NOTE:  Although in years past this award has been presented to groups, most recently the desire has been to present this award to a single individual.

The Literacy Award provides NCTE with an opportunity to recognize individuals who while not primarily professional educators, work for literacy in the local area of the Annual Convention―the award is an excellent and durable vehicle for showcasing important work encouraging reading and writing.

Criteria

The recipient should be: 

• A public figure who is not primarily a professional educator (i.e. a person outside the field of education)

• Someone who has done significant work over a period of time and has made a significant difference in drawing public attention to and stimulating the development of programs to foster literacy, not only among adults, but also youth and children.

• The NCTE Literacy Award does not need to be awarded each year―this award should be bestowed only when the subcommittee decides that nominations warrant presentation of the award.

The selection committee will consist of the Vice President and a committee of three former members of the Executive Committee appointed by the Vice President. At her/his discretion, the Vice President may also select a member of the Council in good standing from the local area of the Annual Convention where the award is to be presented.  NOTE:  If none of these members is a person of color, a person of color will serve as a fifth member of the committee.

The Executive Committee will approve the committee’s selection. 

• A specially designed plaque is given to the winner of the Literacy Award.

• The recipient will be invited to attend the Annual Convention where they will be presented with the plaque.  The award will be announced and presented to the recipient at the Sunday General Session at the Annual Convention.

• The recipient will receive domestic travel to the Annual Convention (coach airfare), complimentary hotel room for one evening and meal reimbursement on Saturday and Sunday of the Annual Convention.

• Press releases honoring the recipient will also be sent.

Past Recipients

2007 Winner
Sesame Workshop ― the nonprofit educational organization that changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street.  As the single largest informal educator of young children, local Sesame Street programs produced in countries as diverse as South Africa, Bangladesh and India are making a difference in over 120 nations.  Using proprietary research to create engaging and enriching content, Sesame Workshop produces programs such as Dragon Tales and Pinky Dinky Doo.  In addition, multimedia needs-driven initiatives provide families tools for addressing such issues as children’s health, military deployment and emergency preparedness.   As a nonprofit, product proceeds and philanthropic support endow Sesame Workshop’s educational research and creative content for children around the world.

2006 Winner
Book’em ― a non-profit organization focusing on two core areas: providing volunteer readers to local preschools, Head Start centers, and elementary schools; and the collection and distribution of new books to children in lower-income families who might not otherwise have books of their own. Founded in Nashville in 1989, their mission is to inspire a love of books and reading in all children. Book’em believes that given an early start, children learn not just to read, but to love reading. One of their newest initiatives, as of fall 2005, is Biblioteca sin paredes, which is the Spanish translation of "library without walls," a book-giving program focusing on Spanish-speaking pre-kindergarten children in Davidson County. As they explain on their website in English as well as Spanish: “Nuestra Misión: Inspirar en los niños y niñas el amor a los libros y a la lectura.”

2005 Winner
WQED-Pittsburgh ― an organization whose programs and offerings advance literacy education. In addition to broadcasting many educational programs for children, WQED has consistently emphasized literacy in its range of services to the Pittsburgh community. Currently, it sponsors a Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest every year, a summer multimedia camp for teens, online courses for teachers' professional development year round, and an "Activities-On-the-Go" kit for school age children in after school programs. The station maintains an Education and Community Resource Center open to the public that celebrates the educational powers of public broadcasting. Joanne Yatvin, NCTE Vice President and Chair of the Literacy Award selection committee, said, “We gave the Literacy Award to WQED because they have such a long history of service to their community and to education. They brought Mr. Rogers to the attention of the world, and have continued to have many continuing programs for teachers and children."

2004 Winner
School on Wheels – Indianapolis ― an organization formed to address the homeless situation by enhancing homeless children’s education during the time of crisis in their lives.  School on Wheels administers individualized tutoring services through the use of volunteer tutors to work exclusively with a child once a week at no cost to the shelter or the family.  Additionally, an integral part of the School on Wheels mission is to ensure that the children tutored have school supplies.  A backpack filled with school supplies is given to each child in need.  School on Wheels helps to supply uniforms so that the children may fit in with their peers and maintain a better focus on school.

2003 Winners
Oral Lee Brown ― an Oakland real estate agent and founder of the Oral Lee Brown Foundation which provides assistance to students from high poverty neighborhoods in Oakland to pursue a college degree.

826 VALENCIA ― San Francisco community of writers offering free drop-in tutoring in writing, as well as workshops and storytelling to students of all ages.

2002 Winner
Pearl Cleage ― Atlanta-based author, poet, essayist, playwright and former columnist

2001 Winner
Kelly and Cal Ripken, Jr., ― Established the Kelly and Cal Ripken, Jr. Foundation which supports community adult and family literacy programs in the greater Baltimore area and the Baltimore Reads Ripken Learning Center, a laboratory for for innovative adult education and instruction.    

2000 Winner
Darlyne Haertlein, Supervisor of Community Relations for Milwaukee Public Television ― Works with the Mister Rogers Neighborhood Sweater Drive, Reading Rainbow Contest Workshop, the First Book Project, Story Times and Vacation Station.   

1999 Winner
Latin American Research and Service Agency (LARASA) ― Developed a neighborhood support and parent leadership development project called Amigos de la Comunidad (Friends of the Community) Program    

1998 Winner
100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee ― Sponsored the  “Read to Achieve” Program
and The Dollywood Foundation ― Founded the “Imagination Library” project 

1997 Winner
Oprah Winfrey ― Talk show host who has shown a strong commitment to education and promotes literacy across the country through the book club (which she promotes on her show.)  

1996 Winner
Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Representative George Miller (D-CA) ― Instrumental in funding the National Writing Project.  

1995 Winner
Kevin Johnson ― Phoenix Suns Basketball Player and founder of St. Hope Academy, which helps Sacramento youth with personal and academic achievement.  

1994 Winner
LeVar Burton ― Host and producer of “Reading Rainbow”, a PBS program that seeks to instill a love of reading in young viewers.  

1993 Winner
Governor Roy Romer (Colorado) ― First Chairperson of the National Education Goals Panel.  

1992 Winner
No Award Given  

1991 Winner
Julia Palmer ― Former Executive Director of the American Reading Council and a New York City activist who has devoted nearly 40 years to bringing books and effective reading instruction to low-income children and adults in New York City.  

1990 Winner
Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke (Baltimore, Maryland)  ― Created the Baltimore City Literacy Corporation and Baltimore Reads, Inc.    

1989 Winner
First Lady Barbara Bush ― Instrumental in launching Literacy Year and a key figure in the Right to Read program prior to her role as First Lady where she continued to focus on literacy.