Awards

CEL Kent Williamson Exemplary Leader Award

2025 Winner

Anna J. Small Roseboro is a wife, mother, National Board–Certified Teacher, and National Writing Project Fellow with over four decades of experience in public and private schools and colleges in five states. She has directed summer academic programs, chaired her English department, and mentored early career educators through NCTE and the Conference on English Leadership. She is a regular presenter at state and local conferences and conventions and through Bloomsbury/Roman and Littlefield has published textbooks sharing what she has learned over her years as a classroom teacher and leader in our crucial profession. She admits readily, “We are better together.” 

Award Details

Nomination Deadline: April 1

Purpose:  The award is given annually to an NCTE member who is an outstanding English language arts educator and leader.

Award Criteria:  NCTE and CEL members are encouraged to nominate an exceptional leader who has had an ongoing impact on the profession through the following:

• Work that has focused on exceptional teaching and/or leadership practices;
• Contributions to the profession through involvement at the local, regional, and national levels;
• Presentations, workshops, and publications that have had an impact upon school leaders.

Candidates not selected for the year in which they are nominated will receive consideration for the next two years.

Award Specifics:  The recipient receives a plaque, CEL Luncheon ticket, a one-year complimentary CEL membership, and the gift of a one-year complimentary CEL membership to present to a colleague. The recipient may also be invited to speak at the CEL Convention. The award is presented at the Sunday CEL Opening Session during the NCTE Annual Convention.

Nomination Materials: The CEL Kent Williamson Exemplary Leader Award is given annually to an NCTE member who is an outstanding English Language Arts educator and leader. The award is named in honor of Kent D. Williamson (1957-2015), who served as NCTE’s Executive Director from 2000-2015. Previous winners include Jocelyn Chadwick, Linda Rief, Ernest Morrell, Pam Allyn, Caro Jago, and Penny Kittle. Nominations should be emailed directly to the CEL Associate Chair, Nicholas Emmanuele, naemmanuele@gmail.com, by April 1.

Judging:  The CEL Award Committee determines the recipient from the nominations submitted within the calendar year. For full consideration, award applications must be received no later than April 1. Candidates not selected for the year in which they are nominated will receive consideration for the next two years.