DoDEA Teacher of The Year Program

The DoDEA Teacher of the Year Program is designed to recognize and honor our outstanding teachers who exemplify the quality professionalism of our teaching work force. The DoDEA Teacher of the Year Program is modeled after the National Teacher of the Year Program, sponsored by the Council of Chief StateSchoolOfficers (CCSSO), and provides an avenue for the DoDEA Teacher of the Year to be nationally recognized. Any stakeholder may nominate a DoDEA teacher for this award and is highly encouraged to participate in the nomination process.

Timeline Overview

Date Item
January - February  Nominations are accepted More information on Nominations. Submit all online nominations by February 10, 2023.
February 15-17 Nominees are notified and asked to complete District Teacher of the Year application form. Learn more on why you should apply, eligibility & requirements.
Early March The DTOY application form is due to the District POC.
Early April The District Teacher of the Year is announced.
April

The District Teacher of the Year completes the following between April 10-24, 2023:

  1. The DoDEA Teacher of the Year application form
  2. Schedule recording of video
  3. Gathers letters of support 
NLT May Completed application packet is submitted and uploaded to TEAMS by May 5, 2023 by the district POC.
September The DoDEA Teacher of the Year is announced.

Eligibility Requirements for District/DoDEA Teacher of the Year: (* from National Teacher of the Year Program)

  • *Must have the respect and admiration of colleagues and:
    • Be an expert in his/her field who guides students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve excellence
    • Collaborate with colleagues, students, and families to create a school culture of respect and success
    • Deliberately connect the classroom and key stakeholders to foster a strong community at large
    • Demonstrate leadership and innovation in and outside of the classroom walls that embodies lifelong learning
    • Express him/herself in an engaging and articulate way
  • Must have completed three full years as a DoDEA teacher
  • Must be willing to represent the organization in a way that brings honor to the profession
  • Must be willing to represent DoDEA's Mission: to educate, empower, and engage all students

Expectations for those selected as District Teachers of the Year:

  • Participation in face-to-face or online professional learning sessions related to teacher leadership
  • Creation of an action plan that will be used to develop leadership practices in your school or district. This action plan will be used to document your activities throughout your year of recognition

Expectations for the DoDEA Teacher of the Year:

  • Participation in face-to-face or online professional learning sessions related to teacher leadership
  • Creation of an action plan that will be used to develop leadership practices in your school or district. This action plan will be used to document your activities throughout your year of recognition
  • Development of a semester-long sabbatical project, in collaboration with DoDEA HQ Leadership and Teacher of the Year POC

2024 DoDEA State Teacher of the Year Timeline

Nomination Period
January 9 to February 10, 2023

Nominations sought in local communities

District Level Process
By January 31, 2023 District POCs identify interview and selection panel
February 15-17, 2023 District POCs provide the selected candidates the application form for completion and submission
February 20 to March 3, 2023 Candidates complete the District TOY application
On or before March 3, 2023 Candidates email their application to district POCs
March 6-15, 2023 District POCs review applications for completion (word counts and page limits)
March 15, 2023 District POCs email listing of applicants (with email address and principal’s contact information) with demographic data to HQ POC
March 16-30, 2023 Selection panel reviews and scores applications and interview panel interviews final candidates
On or before April 7, 2023 District POCs notify HQ POC of selected District TOY PRIOR to making an announcement in the local community (to allow HQ Communications Department to assist with coordinating communications)
By April 10, 2023 District TOY is announced in each district by local leadership
April 10-24, 2023 District TOY completes DoDEA TOY application and prepares video

April 24-28, 2023

 

District POC collaborates with District TOY to edit/revise/ improve the DODEA TOY application and video to ensure they meet all expectations

NLT May 5, 2023

 

DODEA STOY application package (including video and official photo) uploaded to TEAMS by district POC
Headquarters Level Process
By May 5, 2023 HQ POC identifies the Selection Panel and Interview Panel members

May 8-22, 2023

 

ROUND One selection panel review period. Panel members will review applications and videos independently using scoring rubrics. Scores are emailed to HQ POC
May 23-24, 2023 HQ POC reviews scores to identify top 2 candidates from each group (from Round One reviews) and set up candidate folders for the second round of scoring
May 25 to June 2, 2023 ROUND Two selection panel review period. Panel members will review applications and videos independently using scoring rubrics. Scores are emailed to HQ POC
On or before June 5, 2023 HQ selection panel scoring rubrics and comments are emailed to HQ POC
June 5-9, 2023 Top three candidates will be scheduled for a virtual interview.
By August 14, 2023 HQ POC will send interview invitations to top three candidates 
August 22-25, 2023 Virtual interviews with top three candidates by the HQ interview panel.
August 28-30, 2023 Provide written recommendation for 2024 DoDEA STOY to Chief Academic Officer for the Director’s approval. Debrief the STOY selection with the Director as requested. Compile bio of selected DoDEA TOY and share with HQ Communications Department for coordination of communication to the field. 
On or before Sept 4, 2023 DODEA STOY (district superintendent, principal, and district POC) are notified of the selection.
On or before Sept 13, 2023 Announcement of 2024 DODEA TOY (at the Mark Center during the Teacher Leadership Summit) made via DODEA website and other methods as determined by HQ.
SY 2023 and 2024 Recognition and professional development opportunities. 2024 STOY year period is January 2024 to December 2024
September 2023 to October 2023  
National TOY Application Process
On or before October 31, 2023 The DoDEA state coordinator submits the 2023 DoDEA STOY’s complete official application package to the National TOY Program site
November 2023 The National Selection Committee begins review of all state applications prior to the initial meeting of the Selection Committee.
December 2023 Finalists, Chief State School Officers, and state teams of the four states selected will be notified by the Council of Chief State School Officers.
STOY Year of Service:   NTOY Program Events and Sabbatical
January 2024 DODEA STOY Year of Service Begins
February 2024 National Selection Committee (NTOY) announces four finalists. The four finalists will be brought to Washington, D.C., where they will meet with the Selection Committee 
February 2024 NTOY Program Orientation (Location TBD)
March 2024 The teacher selected and the three finalists, along with their Chief State School Officers, will be notified of the Selection Committee's decision.
April 2024 2024 NTOY announced and honored in Washington, DC
July 2024 Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama
August to December 2024 STOY sabbatical
September 2024 DODEA Teacher Leadership Summit
October 2024 Impact & Influence Conference in Princeton, NJ
January 2025 College Football Championship, Los Angeles, CA
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