My 5th year is my BEST year yet. I totally see why the first 5 years are so vulnerable to new teachers. I feel like now that I am not struggling to learn the job I can constantly work to improve myself as a teacher. The cohort award was soooo nice! I completed my project and I’m doing it again this year. ---Keri Bolivar, 2009 Award Recipientnot struggling to learn the job I can constantly work to improve myself as a teacher. The cohort award was soooo nice! I completed my project and I’m doing it again this year. ---Keri Bolivar, 2009 Award Recipient
Purpose: To support early career (first five years in a paid teaching position) teachers of color who are willing to take part in a three-day expense paid summer leadership development meeting that helps prepare early career educators to carry out a group or individual leadership project in literacy education.
Location: TBA (Midwest location), July 12-15, 2012
Support level: Programmatic—a three-day meeting with other early career literacy educators of color, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) leaders, and state level leaders. During this time together, award recipients will learn more about trends in our professional community, leadership strategies, and NCTE. During the three-day retreat, award recipients will have time and assistance in designing a leadership project that will benefit their school and/or a wider network of literacy educators. In addition, recipients will receive advice and support throughout the term of the project and will be recognized for accomplishments as the project comes to fruition.
Financial: Round-trip airfare, three nights lodging, meals, and complimentary registration for the NCTE Leadership Development Meeting (July 12–15, 2012).
Eligibility: Any Pre K – university level literacy educator of color who is in the first five years of a paid teaching career and who aspires to build a career as a literacy educator.
Application: Provide the information requested below and submit it to leadershift@ncte.org electronically no later than March 1, 2012. All award recipients must be an NCTE member at the time the award is accepted. The annual membership cost is $50.00 and recipients can join online or click here for more information.
Please complete the following to apply:
Reference Letter from a colleague, who is familiar with your professional work, that attests to your accomplishments and potential as a literacy educator.
Application with the following information:
School Profile—Brief profile, including grade level taught, and demographics of your current school and students.
Teaching History—Brief teaching history, including when and where you have taught for the past 1–5 years.
Short Statement—describe the following in 500–700 words:
Your ambitions as a literacy educator.
Kinds of projects or professional leadership work in which you are interested in participating.
How you feel your experiences at the NCTE Leadership Development Meeting could strengthen your career in education or as an educator.
Note: Additional materials submitted as part of the application will not be considered.
Timeline: Complete applications with all supporting materials must be emailed to leadershift@ncte.org by March 1, 2012. Up to six candidates will be selected, and all applicants will be notified no later than May 1, 2012 in order to make plans to attend the Leadership Development Meeting on July 12-15, 2012 in TBA (midwest location).
Past Award Recipients
List of award recipients for 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008