National Level
Nomination Process National Level
Participation in the National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) Program is coordinated by the State TOY Coordinator, the DoDEA Professional Development Branch, and the Chief States Schools Officers' NTOY Director. Each year the 50 states, five U. S. extra-state jurisdictions, the District of Columbia, and the DoDEA name a state teacher of the year. Within the states the selection processes vary, but each state conducts a rigorous selection procedure in validating the State TOY's abilities in the classroom and in communicating the recipient's message to a broad audience.
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- The top four finalists are brought to Washington, DC, for individual interviews with the committee.
- The National Selection Committee includes one representative from each of the following esteemed organizations:
- American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
- American Association of School Administrators (AASA)
- American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
- Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)
- ASCD
- Association of Teacher Educators (ATE)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
- National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE)
- National PTA
- National Education Association (NEA)
- Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE)
- National School Boards Association (NSBA)
- National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA)
These organizations represent all the major, noncurricular based, national associations representing the education profession. Because of the broad range of constituencies within these associations, their consensus view embodies what is current and needed in education. This consensus view truly makes their selection the NTOY.
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During the official year of recognition, the NTOY is released from classroom duties to travel nationally and internationally as a spokesperson and advocate for the teaching profession. The teacher's home state and district ensure the teacher's salary and benefits. All scheduling and logistical arrangements for the National Teacher are coordinated through the NTOY Program.
National Teachers average over 150 events each year before audiences ranging from several hundred to over ten thousand. Television, radio, and the print media readily utilize National Teachers to represent the voice of education. The National Teacher may be called upon to represent American educators to audiences in other nations. National Teachers are frequently requested to sit on national and state commissions and policy advising bodies.
If the DoDEA candidate is selected as the NTOY, the state coordinator and the teacher will be notified, on a confidential basis, several weeks in advance of the public announcement. The three finalists not selected and their state coordinator will receive confidential notification at the same time.
National Events for All State TOY:
- January: The NTOY Conference, Phoenix, AZ. This conference brings together all of the State TOY and the State TOY Program Coordinators to help them to further define what it means to be a TOY and how state programs can better support that role.
- March: If the DoDEA State TOY is one of the four finalists for the NTOY, he/she interviews with The National Selection Committee, Washington, D.C. This will include each finalist will have a videotaped interview to be seen by the committee later in the process. The first meeting will be dinner with the National Selection Committee. The second meeting will include a 60 minute individual interview with the Selection Committee. Beginning with a 7-10 minute spoken presentation by the finalist and the remaining time will be in conversation with the selection committee. Then there will be a public press conference for the four finalists (the only public event in the selection process). Following the four interviews the National Selection Committee will, on the basis of each finalist's demonstrated qualities, select the National Teacher of the Year.
- April: The State TOY recognition, Washington, D.C. The President introduces the NTOY and the State Teachers are invited to join that recognition. During this week's activities, the teachers will network and learn about national education trends and challenges.
- Early July: Education Commission of the States (ECS) National Forum, Atlanta, GA. State Teachers bring the "teacher's voice" to the Forum. Policy makers from all aspects of state government attend. Governors, legislators, chiefs and state board members for both K-12 and higher education attend this Forum.
- Late July: International Space Camp, Huntsville, AL. State Teachers, as well as teachers and students from more than twenty countries, learn about space technology. They also experience some of the training that astronauts receive before space travel.
- October: Next Steps Conference National Teacher Forum, Princeton, New Jersey. This conference provides the State Teachers the opportunity to process the year's experience and plan for the future. The teachers learn that the role as Teacher of the Year does not end after recognition and they will continue to advocate for what is best for children.
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