2017 Texas Teacher of the Year
Application Instructions

  • Please provide all information requested on the application form and in the essay questions, as well as a photograph.
  • Include original signatures of the applicant, the applicant’s principal, and the applicant’s district superintendent on the application form.
  • Please limit your answers to the essay questions to the number of pages specified for each section,and follow the formatting instructions on page 3.
  • Observe the page limits for each essay question section. Any additional pages and/or materials submitted will not be presented to the Selection Committee.
  • Use the completed application form on page 1 as the cover sheet for the application package. Please do not add another cover sheet with photos or artwork.
  • The application and essay question responses, on plain white paper, should be paper-clipped or submitted in a clear plastic folder with a simple clasp. No notebooks or loose-leaf binders, please.
  • Each application must include one color photograph, either hard copy (5"x7") or electronic (high-resolution jpg), suitable for publicity purposes (professional headshot such as a school photo). Please no cellphone selfies, PDFs, or Word documents with photos embedded. No photocopies or photographs of photos will be accepted.

Submit an electronic copy of the application (PDF preferred) form, essay question responses, and photographto your Regional ESC CoordinatorbytheESC’sclose of business, Wednesday, June 8, 2016.(Photographs sent by mail should also arrive by this deadline.)

Questions? Contact the Jennifer Garrido, Texas Teacher of the Year Program,512.852.2105 or .

2017 Application Form

Section I. General Information and Signatures

Nominee’s First/Last Name ______

Nominee’s Email (Work) ______(Personal)______

Home Address______

______

CityStateZip CodePhone

School Name______

School Address______

______

CityStateZip CodePhone

Certification Program Reg Alt Certification Area(s)______

Major Subject Area ______Grade Level(s)______

Total Years of Teaching Experience ______Years in Present Position______

Principal’s First/Last Name______

Principal’s Email ______Phone______

District Superintendent’s First/Last Name______

Superintendent’s Email ______Phone ______

District Public Information Officer’s First/Last Name______

Public InfoOfficer’s Email ______Phone ______

I hereby give my permission for any or all of the attached materials or photos that may be taken of me to be shared with persons interested in promoting, in a variety of media, the National and Texas Teacher of the Year Programs.

Signature of Nominee ______

Signature of Principal______

Signature of Superintendent ______

Submit completed application, responses to essay questions, and photograph to your
RegionalESC Coordinator by the ESC’s close of business, Wednesday, June 8, 2016.

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Important Instructions for Texas Teacher of the Year Essay Questions

Section I must be submitted on the form provided on page 2. Sections II-VIII should be produced using your own word processing software. Start each section on a new page and include the section number and heading at the top. (For sections that allow for a 2-page response, repeat the section number and heading on page 2, adding “continued.”) Number all pages and adhere to the page limits specified for each section; additional pages and/or materials submitted will NOT be presented to the Selection Committee.Use at least 1-inch margins, a minimum of 10-point, easy-to-read type, and double space. The result should be a clean, clear copy suitable for easy black-and-white copying and placement in a three-ring binder with other applications.

Section II. Educational History and Professional Development Activities
(Limit: 2 double-spaced pages)

A.Beginning with most recent, list colleges and universities attended, including postgraduate studies. Indicate degrees earned and dates of attendance.

B.Beginning with most recent, list teaching employment history indicating time period, grade level, and subject area.

C.Beginning with most recent, list professional association memberships, including information regarding offices held and other relevant activities.

D.Beginning with most recent, list staff development leadership activity and leadership activity in the training of future teachers.

E.Beginning with the most recent, list awards and other recognition of your teaching.

Section III. Professional Biography(Limit: 2 double-spaced pages)

  1. What were the factors that influenced you to become a teacher?
  2. Describe what you consider to be your greatest contributions and accomplishments in education.

Section IV. Community Involvement(Limit: 1 double-spaced page)

Describe your commitment to your community through service-oriented activities such as volunteer work, civic responsibilities, and other group activities.

Section V. Philosophy of Teaching (Limit: 2 double-spaced pages)

A.Describe your personal feelings and beliefs about teaching, including your own ideas of what makes you an outstanding teacher. Describe the rewards you find in teaching.

B.How are your beliefs about teaching demonstrated in your personal teaching style?

Section VI. Education Issues and Trends (Limit: 2 double-spaced pages)

What do you consider to be the major public education issues today?Address one in depth, outlining possible causes, effects, and resolutions.

Section VII. The Teaching Profession (Limit: 2 double-spaced pages)

A.What do you do to strengthen and improve the teaching profession?

B.What is and/or what should be the basis for accountability in the teaching profession?

Section VIII. Texas Teacher of the Year (Limit: 1 double-spaced page)

As the 2017 Texas Teacher of the Year, you would serve as aspokesperson and representative for the entire teaching profession. What would be your message? What would you communicate to your profession and to the general public?

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