Human Resources → Awards & Recognition → Washington Post Teacher of the Year → Requirements

2021 Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award

Nomination Packet Requirements:

Please limit your writing to the number of pages requested.  The type font should be Times New Roman and type size should be 12. (In order to provide all nominees with the same opportunity, only the number of pages and the information requested will be accepted.)

Submit materials in the following order:  

• A career summary (resume).
• A description of contributions in each of the nomination criteria. Write one page (double-spaced) for each criteria. 
• Four statements of support, one of which must be by a professional educator.
• A 200 word biography, written to highlight the specific award for which the awardee was nominated.  
•  One vertical color photograph.  Headshot only. The image must be a JPG file and at least 2MB.
 

Nomination FAQ

All nomination packets must include the following materials:

• Resume: Complete a resume using the required format. Your resume should reflect the breadth and depth of your professional experiences, including those within the school and the broader community. Be sure to include areas that reflect your leadership experiences and those which reflect continuous learning.
• Completed by nominee

• Description of Contributions: Write one page (double-spaced) for each of the nomination criteria (a total of five pages) describing contributions you have made in each of the areas. Explain how you accomplish each criterion. Be sure to include results/data related to specific practices you use in each of the criteria areas.
•  Written by nominee

• Letters of Support: Include four letters of support. One letter must be from your current principal; one letter must be from a colleague; and one letter must be from a parent. Letters of support should address the five criteria and cite specific examples of how the teacher displays the criteria in his/her teaching practices and how this teacher has made a significant difference in the lives of children. Each letter of support should be no more than two pages in length.
• Nominator and nominee work together to request and gather letters

• Biography: A 200 word biography, written to highlight the specific award for which the awardee was nominated. See example submission below:
• Completed by nominator and nominee

Sample: John Doe is a teacher at Franklin Pierce Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. Franklin Pierce serves a unique population and it takes an exceptional educator to successfully motivate students to achieve their best academically while encouraging them to grow and mature socially and emotionally. “Each child has individual and specific requirements and John makes sure that each need is met with an innovative and caring approach.” wrote a parent, whose daughter is in his class. Mr. Doe began his career in education as a speech pathologist in the Prince George’s County Public School system in 1993. There he developed and implemented communication-based programs for students with autism, learning, and physical disabilities. Mr. Doe earned his MEd and BS in speech/language pathology from Keene University in Keene, NH.

• Photograph:  One vertical color photograph.  Headshot only.  The image must be a JPG file, and at least 2 MB.