Following are application deadlines for awards, honors, and contests available to teachers. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
*January 6 TEACHERS HALL OF FAME
The National Teachers Hall of Fame requests nominations for 2004 inductions. Active or retired, certified preK-12 teachers with at least 20 years of full-time classroom experience are eligible. Five teachers are selected for representation in the Hall of Fame Gallery and receive an expenses-paid trip to induction activities in Washington, D.C., and Emporia, Kan. Contact: Jenny Harder, NTHF, 1320 C of E Dr., Emporia, KS 66801; (620) 341-5660; fax (620) 341-5912; e-mail hallfame@emporia.edu; www.nthf.org.
*January 9 FAMILY/CONSUMER SCIENCE
The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences identifies and recognizes exemplary teachers who exhibit a deep commitment to the profession and association with its Teacher of the Year Award. These teachers integrate methods, techniques, and activities that provide the stimulus for and give visibility to family and consumer sciences in elementary and secondary education. The winner receives $1,000, a plaque, and up to $500 in expenses to attend the annual convention. Candidates must be full-time, permanent teachers of family and consumer sciences, be current members of AAFCS, and have maintained membership for at least three years. Contact: Susan R. Dye, Program Manager, AAFCS, 1555 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2752; (703) 706-4600; fax (703) 706-4663; e-mail staff@aafcs.org; www.aafcs.org/programs/awards. html.
*February 1 BIOLOGY
Textbook publisher Prentice Hall and the National Association of Biology Teachers invite grades 7-12 teachers to apply for the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award. Candidates must have at least three years’ experience at public, private, or parochial schools. Teachers can nominate themselves or colleagues. Winners are selected from each of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Canada, and overseas territories and are honored at the NABT National Convention. They also receive a pair of precision binoculars from Prentice Hall, lab equipment from Leica Microsystems Inc., a video flex camera system from Ken-A-Vision, and a yearlong NABT membership. Contact: Louise Pittack, Awards Manager, NABT, 12030 Sunrise Valley Dr., Suite 110, Reston, VA 20191-3409; (703) 264-9696 or (800) 406-0775; e-mail lpittack@nabt.org; www.nabt.org.
*February 2 JAPANESE STUDIES
The United States-Japan Foundation honors K-12 teachers who work to improve mutual understanding between Japanese and American citizens with its Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Awards. Full-time U.S. teachers of any relevant subject are eligible for an award in the humanities or in Japanese language instruction. A national selection committee reviews applications. Winners are chosen based on exemplary and innovative teaching about Japan; development of meaningful projects linking American and Japanese students; contributions to the improvement of curricula about Japan; and leadership and outreach in precollegiate education about the country, its culture, and its people. Winners receive a $2,500 award as well as a $5,000 grant to implement the program or curriculum described in their applications. Contact: David Janes, Program Officer, United States-Japan Foundation, 145 E. 32nd St., New York, NY 10016; (212) 481-8757; e-mail djanes@us-jf.org; www.us-jf.org/heinz.html.
*February 9 SCIENCE
The NEC Foundation of America invites middle school science teachers to compete in the NEC Perfect Classroom Competition. Entries must be submitted as a video essay, with a maximum length of three minutes, explaining the ideal classroom. Three teachers will be selected in May 2004 and awarded $5,000, $3,000, and $1,000 to execute their vision of the perfect classroom. Contact: Clint Tanner, Science Service, 1719 N St. N.W., Washington, DC 20036; (202) 872-5158; e-mail ctanner@sciserv.org; www.sciserv.org/necfoundation.a sp.
*February 15 ENVIRONMENT
The National Association for Humane and Environmental Education accepts nominations for the National KIND Teacher. The award honors an outstanding K-6 teacher who includes lessons about kindness and respect for people, animals, and the environment in the curriculum. The winner receives a plaque and a yearlong subscription to KIND News for every classroom in his or her school. Contact: Lisa Cushing, NAHEE, 67 Norwich Essex Turnpike, East Haddam, CT 06423- 1736; (860) 434-8666; e-mail nahee@nahee.org; www.nahee.org.
*February 29 CHILDREN’S FICTION
Highlights for Children seeks stories that begin with the words “I have a problem” for its 25th annual fiction contest. Submissions should not exceed 800 words and may be considerably shorter for younger children. Three winners receive $1,000 each and publication of their stories in Highlights. Other contest submissions are considered for purchase by the magazine. Contact: Fiction Contest, Highlights for Children, 803 Church St., Honesdale, PA 18431; (570) 253-1080.
*March 1 ADVERSITY
Partnership for America’s Future, the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, and Panasonic announce the Freida J. Riley Teacher Award, for a U.S. teacher who overcame adversity or made a sacrifice to positively affect students. The recipient receives anexpenses-paid trip to the award ceremony in conjunction with Space Day events at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 6, and $10,000. Contact: Gay Evans, Assistant Executive Director, Partnership for America’s Future, 80 W. Bowery St., Suite 305, Akron, OH 44308; (330) 376-8300; e-mail info@pafinc.com; www.pafinc.com/riley/index.htm .