TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Honoring America's Educators
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
Since its founding in 1899, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has actively promoted patriotism and civic responsibility through education. The Texas Department of "VFW's Teacher of the Year Award honors exceptional educators who inspire students wuth lessons on veteran sacrifices, national pride, and American values.
THE AWARD RECOGNIZES TEACHERS ACROSS THREE GRADE CATEGORIES:
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Grades K - 5
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Grades 6 - 8
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Grades 9 - 12
AWARDS INCLUDE:
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$1,000 Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award
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$1,000 to the winning teacher's school
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Commemorative plaque
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An all-expense paid trip to the VFW National Convention
"Without our nation's veterans, America wouldn't be the great nation it is today. Our youth deserve to learn about our rich history, traditions, and the role of our veterans in creating and shaping America."
- National Veterans of Foreign Wars
NOMINATE A TEACHER FOR THE VFW TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
ENTRY DEADLINE: OCTOBER 31
Celebrate the dedication and passion of outstanding educators by either nominating a deserving teacher or encouraging them to apply for the VFW Teacher of the Year Award. This prestigious award recognizes teachers who significantly contribute to instilling national pride and civic responsibility in their students. Ensure your candidate meets all the necessary criteria:
HOW TO NOMINATE
Whether you are nominating a colleague or submitting your own application, here are the steps to ensure the nomination is processed correctly:
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Click here to download the Teacher Entry Form and complete it with all the required information about the nominee or yourself.
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Collect any additional supporting documentation that may be required as outlined in the eligibility rules
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All entries must start at the local VFW Post level.Submit the completed forms directly to a VFW Post within the nominee's local area and state of residence. Please note that entries sent directly to VFW National will be returned
WINNER ADVANCEMENT PROCESS
Once a teacher wins at the Post level, they advance through District and Department levels, each requiring specific documentation to certify their advancement. Complete this form for district and department-level advancements:
POST CITIZENSHIP TEACHER PARTICIPATION SUMMARY REPORT
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DISTRICT CITIZENSHIP TEACHER PARTICIPATION SUMMARY REPORT
LOCATING YOUR LOCAL VFW POST
To submit your local entry for the VFW Teacher of the Year Award, you need to connect with a local VFW Post:
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Find Your Local VFW Post: Visit Find a Post to locate a Post within your state and local area.
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If you fadfe challenges in locating or contacting a Post, you may fill out the form below for further assistance:
WE WELCOME YOU TO JOIN US
Join the VFW by meeting two requirements: honorable service in the U.S. Armed Forces and participation in operations on foreign soil or hostile waters. Eligibility can be verified through campaign medals, Hostile Fire Pay, or service in Korea. For family members of eligible veterans, the VFW Auxiliary provides a membership option.
COMBAT TESTED GAMING
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural gaming league, Combat Tested Gaming. Working alongside veteran-owned KC Crew, this landmark initiative provides a new platform for veterans to hone their gaming skills while building camaraderie with other members of the veteran community.
JUDGING CRITERIA OVERVIEW
Assessment of educators is based on four criteria:
Focuses on promoting civic responsibility and community involvement.
CITIZENSHIP
(1-25 POINTS)
Emphasizes the use of innovative teaching methods and resources
INNOVATION
(1-25 POINTS)
Assesses the ability to leverage external resources and opportunities for enhancing education.
RESOURCES
(1-25 POINTS)
Evaluate the enthusiasm and dedication to continuous improvement in teaching.
PASSION
(1-25 POINTS)
Download the full score sheet below to understand the judging criteria:
WE WELCOME YOU TO JOIN US
Join the VFW by meeting two requirements: honorable service in the U.S. Armed Forces and participation in operations on foreign soil or hostile waters. Eligibility can be verified through campaign medals, Hostile Fire Pay, or service in Korea. For family members of eligible veterans, the VFW Auxiliary provides a membership option.
