Awards
NCTE presents several educator awards each year to recognize outstanding teachers of English language arts and literacy at all levels and to support teachers’ efforts to enhance their knowledge and teaching skills.
Educator Awards
- Donald Graves Writing Award
- Edwyna Wheadon Postgraduate Scholarship
- High School Teacher of Excellence (Affiliate Award)
- Media Literacy Award
- Outstanding Elementary Educator Award
- NCTE Outstanding Middle Level Educator Award
- Richard W. Halle Award
- Teacher Awards for Lifelong Readers & Maya Angelou Teacher Award for Poetry
- Donald Graves Writing Award
- Edwyna Wheadon Postgraduate Scholarship
- High School Teacher of Excellence (Affiliate Award)
- Media Literacy Award
- Outstanding Elementary Educator Award
- NCTE Outstanding Middle Level Educator Award
- Richard W. Halle Award
- Teacher Awards for Lifelong Readers & Maya Angelou Teacher Award for Poetry
Educator Awards
NCTE presents several awards each year to recognize outstanding teachers of English language arts and literacy at all levels and to support teachers’ efforts to enhance their knowledge and teaching skills. Select from the links below to learn more about each award.
Donald H. Graves Writing Award
2023 Recipient Lisa Helse
Recognizes teachers in grades K-6 who, through the teaching of writing, demonstrate an understanding of student improvement in writing.
Deadline May 1
Edwyna Wheadon Postgraduate Training Scholarship
2024 Recipient Michael Watson
The Edwyna Wheadon Postgraduate Training Scholarship provides funding for professional development experiences for English/Language Arts teachers in public educational institutions. The purpose of the scholarship is to support postgraduate training to enhance teaching skills and/or career development in teaching.
Deadline January 31
High School Teacher of Excellence Award
This award is given to high school teachers who are nominated by their state affiliates. All state, provincial, regional, and local affiliates can participate.
Deadline June 1
Media Literacy Award
2024 Recipient T. Philip Nichols
This award showcases NCTE members who have developed innovative approaches for integrating media analysis and composition into their instruction.
Deadline May 1
Outstanding Elementary Educator Award
2023 Recipient Caitlin L. Ryan and Jill M. Hermann-Wilmarth
Recognizes a distinguished educator who has made major contributions to the field of elementary English language arts education.
Deadline February 22
Outstanding Middle Level Educator Award
2023 Recipient Caitlin O’Connor
This award recognizes exceptional English language arts teachers of grades 6-8 who have demonstrated excellence in teaching English language arts and inspired a spirit of inquiry and a love of learning in their students.
Deadline May 1
Penguin Random House Teacher Award for Lifelong Readers & Maya Angelou Teacher Award for Poetry
This award was given on a temporary basis to recognize the nation’s most dynamic and resourceful teachers who use their creativity to inspire and successfully instill a lifelong love of reading and poetry in students.
Archived, not accepting nominations
Richard W. Halle Award
Honors a junior high/middle level educator who has worked to promote understanding of the developmental needs and characteristics of young adolescents, especially in the English language arts.
Nominations not accepted for this award