Awards

Leadership Awards

NCTE presents several awards to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of literacy, to the field of education, or to the organization. Select from the links below to learn more about each award.

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Berry Research Award to Study Careers of English Majors

Deadline is May 15

The Berry Research Award to Study Careers of English Majors supports NCTE members in the teaching, learning, and application of literacy learning. It provides research support for an NCTE member(s) who proposes a research project that studies “the careers of English Majors and/or the role and function of English in career development.”
2024 recipient: Kelly J. Sassi

Distinguished Service Award

Deadline is May 1

This award recognizes a person or persons who have exhibited valuable professional service to the profession, scholarly or academic distinction, distinctive use of language, and excellence in teaching.
2024 Recipient: Ulrich H. Hardt

James R. Squire Award

Deadline is May 1

This award honors an individual who has given outstanding service, not only to the stature and development of NCTE and the discipline which it represents, but also to the profession of education as a whole, internationally as well as nationally.
2024 Recipient: Kylene Beers

NCTE Advancement of People of Color Leadership Award

Deadline is May 1

This award is given to an NCTE member of color who has made a significant contribution to NCTE and the development of our professional community. It supports those who advocate for policies and practices that influence and advance the understanding of equity and antiracism.
2024 Recipient: Bilal Polson

NCTE Early Career Educator of Color Leadership Award

Deadline March 15

This award provides early career teachers of color a national forum at the NCTE Annual Convention for professional collaboration and development as they build accomplished teaching careers as active NCTE members. All award recipients must be an NCTE member at the time the award is accepted.

NCTE Leadership Award for People with Disabilities

Deadline is May 1

This award recognizes a person with a disability who has made a significant contribution to NCTE and to the development of our professional community. It encompasses mental, physical, sensory, and other disabilities. Recipients promote and support the advancement of people with disabilities in our profession through their service, writing, teaching, scholarship, and professional development.
2024: No award given

NCTE LGBTQIA+ Advocacy & Leadership Award

Deadline is May 1

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community have always been active in literacy teaching and learning; they also have been active members of NCTE. This award recognizes a member of the LGBTQIA+ community who has made a significant contribution to the Council through service, scholarship, and actions that promote and support the advancement of the LGBTQIA+ community in the profession, in literacy-related activities, and in public engagement, thus helping to create a culture of change.
2024 Recipient: Saurabh Anand

George Orwell Award

Deadline May 1

The NCTE George Orwell Award, established in 1975 and administered by the NCTE Public Language Award Committee, recognizes people who have made outstanding contributions to the critical analysis of public discourse.
2024 Recipient: Jessica Lander

David H. Russell Award

Deadline March 1

This award recognizes published research in language, literature, rhetoric, teaching procedures, or cognitive processes that may sharpen the teaching or the content of English at any level.
2024 Todd Craig

NCTE National Intellectual Freedom Award

Deadline May 1

Established in 1997 by NCTE and SLATE–Support for the Learning and Teaching of English–this award is given to individuals, groups, or institutions that merit recognition for advancing the cause of intellectual freedom. A subcommittee of the NCTE Committee Against Censorship selects the recipient(s).
2024 Recipient: Henry “Cody” Miller

Media Literacy Award

Deadline May 1

This award showcases NCTE members who have developed innovative approaches for integrating media analysis and composition into their instruction.
2024 Recipient: T. Philip Nichols