Department of Defense Education Activity

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 State School Officers (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 POC
October - November Nominations Accepted More information on Nominations. Submit all online nominations by November 30, 2021 School Level Principal
December Nominees are notified and asked to complete District Teacher of the Year Application Learn more on why you should apply, eligibility & requirements District POC
Early Jan Application for District TOY due to DSO District POC
Mid February District Teacher of the Year announced and sent DoDEA Teacher of the Year Application District Office
March

District Teacher of the Year completes the following between March 4-25, 2021:

  1. DoDEA Teacher of the Year Application
  2. Schedule recording of video
  3. Gathers letters of support 
 District POC
NLT April Completed packet is uploaded to TEAMS by April 1, 2022 by the district POC. District POC
June DoDEA Teacher of the Year Announced HQ

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

2023 DoDEA State Teacher of the Year Timeline

Nomination Period
Oct 18 - Nov 30, 2021 Nominations sought in local communities.
District Level Process
Dec 3, 2021 District POCs send to HQ the number of nominees submitted for each district
Dec 6 - Jan 14, 2022 District POCs compile nominations and provide approved candidates the District TOY application for completion and submission
On or before Jan 14, 2022 Applications for District TOY emailed to district POC
Jan 17-25, 2022 District POCs review applications to ensure they are completed (word counts, and page limits are not exceeded)
Jan 28, 2022 District POC emails listing of applicants with demographic data to HQ POC (Dr. Alberto Rivera)
Jan 31 to Feb 18, 2022 District TOY selected by the District Selection panel based on written application and virtual interview
On or before Feb 18, 2022 (whenever district process has been completed) District POCs notify DoDEA HQ of selected District TOY PRIOR to notifying the winner or making an announcement in the local community (to allow HQ Communications department to assist with coordinating communications)
By Feb 28, 2022 District POC/Superintendent notifies and supports nominated teachers in the TOY application process
Mar 4-11, 2022 District TOY completes DoDEA TOY application and prepares video
Mar 14-25, 2022 District POC collaborates with District TOY winner to edit/revise/improve the DoDEA TOY application and video to ensure they meet all expectations
NLT Apr 1, 2022 DoDEA STOY application package (including video and official photo) uploaded to Schoology (or TEAMS) by District POC
Headquarters Level Process
Mar 14, 2022 HQ Coordinator identifies and notifies Selection Panel and Interview Panel members and send save the date as reminders
On or before Apr 1, 2022 DoDEA Application package from District TOY, including photo and video, due at DoDEA Headquarters uploaded to Schoology (or TEAMS)
Apr 4-8, 2022 DoDEA STOY community organized: written applications, videos, photos into two groups on Schoology (or TEAMS)
Apr 11-25, 2022 Selection Panel Review Period. Panel members will review applications and videos independently using scoring rubrics. Scores are emailed to HQ POC (Dr. Alberto Rivera)
Apr 26 & 27, 2022 HQ reviews top 3 candidates from each group and set up candidate folders for the Selection Panel groups to do a second round of scoring
Apr 28 - May 13, 2022 Selection Panel Round 2 Review Period of TOP applicants. Panel members will review applications and videos independently using scoring rubrics. Scores are emailed to HQ POC (Dr. Alberto Rivera)
On or before May 13, 2022 HQ Selection Panel scoring rubrics and comments due HQ POC and on Schoology (or TEAMS)
May 16-20, 2022 Top 3-4 candidates will be scheduled for a virtual interview
May 23-25, 2022 Virtual interviews with top 3-4 candidates by the HQ Interview Panel. Date(s) selected based on candidates and time zones. Note: Interview panel convenes virtually (estimated time would be 6am EST-9am EST to accommodate the different time zones. But we will confirm the time once we have commitments from all panel members).
May 26-31, 2022 Provide written recommendation for 2023 DoDEA STOY to CAO 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 office for coordination of communication to the field.
On or before May 31, 2022 DODEA STOY (district superintendent, principal, and district POC) are notified of the selection.
On or before June 3, 2022 Announcement of 2023 DODEA TOY made via DODEA website and other methods as determined by HQ.
SY 2022 and 2023 Recognition and professional development opportunities. 2023 STOY year period is January 2023 to December 2023
Jun 2022- Oct 2022 Technical work sessions with DODEA STOY to revise national application and platform
National Teacher of the Year Program Level Process
On or before Oct 31, 2022 The DoDEA State Coordinator submits the 2022 DoDEA STOY’s complete official application package to the National TOY Program site
Nov 2022 The National Selection Committee begins review of all state applications prior to the initial meeting of the Committee.
Dec 2022 Finalists, their Chief State School Officers, and state teams of the four states selected will be notified by the Council of Chief State School Officers.
Feb 2023 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 in a variety of situations, including individual interviews.
Mar 2023 The teacher selected and the three finalists, along with their Chief State School Officers, will be notified of the Selection Committee's decision.
Apr 2023 2022 NTOY announced and honored in Washington, DC