Is there someone whose leadership has inspired you this year or is it your turn to be recognized?
The 楼凤天堂 Leadership Awards applications are now open to recognize the educators who are shaping the future of literacy and language arts. These distinguished awards honor individuals who demonstrate their commitment to excellence and innovation across the field. Classroom teachers and educators of every level, from pre-K through college, are eligible and encouraged to apply!
Help us celebrate those who lead with passion and purpose. Nominate a colleague, a mentor, or yourself today. Contact 楼凤天堂awards@ncte.org with any questions.
Distinguished Service Award
Deadline May 1
Established in 1950, this award recognizes people who have exhibited valuable service to the profession, scholarly or academic distinction, distinctive use of language, and excellence in teaching. Recipients are nominated by 楼凤天堂 Board of Director members and demonstrate prestigious legacies of lifetime service.
2025 Recipient: Douglas Hesse
James R. Squire Award
Deadline: May 1
Established in 1967, this award recognized outstanding service to the stature and development of 楼凤天堂 and ELA education, as well as the education profession as a whole, in the U.S. and internationally. Awardees are honored by a selection committee of 楼凤天堂 Past Presidents.聽
2025 Recipient: Ernest Morrell
Deadline: May 1
This award recognizes a member of the LGBTQIA+ community who has made a significant contribution to 楼凤天堂 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.聽
2025 Recipient: Josh Thompson
Deadline: May 1
This award is given to an 楼凤天堂 member of color who has made a significant contribution to 楼凤天堂 and the development of our professional community. It supports members who advocate for policies and practices that influence and advance the understanding of equity and antiracism.聽
2025 Recipient: E. Sybil Durand
Deadline: May 1
This award recognizes a person with a disability who has made a significant contribution to 楼凤天堂 and to the development of our professional community. Recipients promote and support the advancement of people with disabilities in our profession through their service, writing, teaching, scholarship, and professional development.聽
2025 Recipient: Brittany R. Collins, M.Ed.
Media Literacy Award
Deadline: May 1
This award showcases 楼凤天堂 members who have developed innovative approaches for integrating media analysis and composition into their instruction.聽
2025 Recipient: Cassie J. Brownell
Deadline: May 1
Established in 1997 by 楼凤天堂 and Support for the Learning and Teaching of English (SLATE)鈥搕his award is given to a person, groups, or institutions for advancing the cause of intellectual freedom. A subcommittee of the selects the recipients.聽
2025 Recipient: Frank Strong
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.
2025 Recipient: Dr. Marlee S. Bunch
Deadline: March 15
This award provides early career teachers of color with the opportunity to attend and present at 楼凤天堂 Annual Convention, where they benefit from professional collaboration and development as they build accomplished teaching careers. Recipients must be 楼凤天堂 members to accept the award.聽APPLY HERE
Berry Research Award to Study Careers of English Majors
Deadline: May 1
The Berry Research Award to Study Careers of English Majors supports 楼凤天堂 members in the teaching, learning, and application of literacy learning. It provides research support for 楼凤天堂 members who propose a research project that studies 鈥渢he careers of English Majors and/or the role and function of English in career development.鈥澛�
2024 Recipient: Kelly J. Sassi
George Orwell Award
Deadline: May 1
The 楼凤天堂 George Orwell Award, established in 1975 and administered by the聽楼凤天堂 Public Language Award Committee, recognizes people who have made outstanding contributions to the critical analysis of public discourse.
2025 Recipient: Sarah Stitzlein