Teacher of the Year

The Florida Department of Education-Macy’s Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors outstanding classroom teachers who have demonstrated a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities. Florida’s public school system has made significant progress in student achievement, and research shows the most important factor in raising student achievement is the quality of the teacher. Recognizing teachers who make a difference in the lives of students is a priority for the Florida Department of Education.

The Florida Department of Education presents an award check from Macy’s/FDOE, to the District Teacher of the year and is distributed during the Teacher of the Year Roundtable.

Each year, nominations are held for District Teacher of the Year and candidates are chosen and voted upon by P.K. Yonge faculty. The District winner will be expected to complete a nomination packet, which includes a video submission, 3 letters of recommendation, and a digital photo.

For further details visit  FLDOE Teacher of the Year Program and download the Teacher of the Year Nomination Packet. To nominate a colleague for P.K. Yonge Teacher of the Year, please use the Teacher of the Year Nomination Form.

Tentative deadlines for submission are listed below:

Timeline for Selection of Florida Department of Education-Macy’s Teacher of the Year

October — Solicit nominations
November — Voting for district teacher of the year
December — District Teacher of the Year announced
February — Completed nomination packet with video submitted to DOE
March-April — State selection committee members review district nominee packets
May — Announcements of Teacher of the Year finalists
May-June — State selection committee members interview finalists
July — Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year Roundtable,
Macy’s gala awards ceremony honoring District Teachers of the Year, and the announcement of the Florida Department of Education-Macy’s Teacher of the Year

Submission Procedures

The candidate selected should be willing and able to attend the Teacher of the Year Roundtable and gala awards ceremony held in Orlando in July. The method and materials used to select the candidate may vary according to the district, but should include all public school teachers in the district (see “Eligibility” section below).

  • Submit the completed nomination packet with a cover letter from the district superintendent verifying that the nominee has been selected as the District Teacher of the Year.
  • Include no more than three letters of recommendation of no more than one page in length including a letter from the teacher’s current principal ,colleagues, former principal(s), a parent, a current or former student, an administrator and/or a civic or community leader.
  • Include one recent color high-quality, professional, digital photo (jpg or eps file).
  • Along with the nomination packet, email YouTube video link in accordance with the instructions set forth in Section V of the application – Video Submission guidelines.
  • Electronically send complete nomination packet with required submissions and digital photo to EdRecognition@fldoe.org.

Selection Criteria

  1. Demonstrates a superior ability to foster excellence in education; contributes to the continuous improvement of student learning and the school environment; and maintains a record of superior teaching performance as evidenced by student learning gains, annual performance assessment and recognition of work
  2. Utilizes original and/or innovative instructional materials, methods, curriculum or tools, such as interdisciplinary instruction, project-based learning, research-based programs or technology to facilitate instruction
  3. Actively engages in targeted, collaborative and sustained professional development and demonstrates leadership in educational activities at the school, district and/or state and national level, such as active membership in an advisory council, task force or professional organization or through involvement as a grade level or department chair
  4. Demonstrates a commitment to creating a climate of caring and respect inside and outside of the classroom with students, families and other stakeholders conducive to effective teaching and learning and engages parents/families in the learning process to enhance student achievement

Eligibility

Each district and/or participating institution may nominate only one teacher. Only the district superintendent may submit the nomination. Nominations should be made without regard to race, age, sex, national origin, religion or disability.

The following full-time district educators are eligible for nomination.

  • Classroom teachers in traditional and charter public schools – Grades Pre-K through 12
  • Adult education teachers
  • Postsecondary vocational/technical education teachers
  • Department chairpersons who actively engage in classroom teaching
  • Guidance counselors
  • Media specialists
  • Speech/language pathologists
  • Special area teachers (e.g., exceptional student education, foreign languages, music)
  • Other professional educators performing instructional support services with students (e.g., school psychologists, school social workers and instructional coaches)

School personnel who work in an administrative or supervisory capacity, such as principals or deans of students, are ineligible.