Nomination process is now open for the Public Schools’ Big Apple Awards
Know a teacher who’s doing great work? Maybe you know an educator who’s making a difference in the community. Or a teacher who’s changed your child’s life for the better. If so, consider nominating them for the NYC Public Schools Big Apple Awards!
About the Big Apple Awards
The award recognizes and celebrates NYC public school teachers who go above and beyond to serve their students and families. The nomination process is now open and will close on Jan. 19, 2024.
The Big Apple Awards team will evaluate nominees based on criteria in the following three categories:
Impact on Student Learning
- Takes a holistic approach to teaching and learning that affirms and uplifts students’ cultures and communities.
- Facilitates learning that fosters student-agency and ownership, while creating opportunities for students to co-design curriculum and their learning experiences.
- Fosters relationships and builds trust with students to allow for authentic collaboration in culturally responsive and sustaining ways.
- Has an asset-based approach and a growth mindset for themselves and their students, empowering their students to succeed in their academic and social lives.
Instructional Practices
- Uses academically rigorous and intellectually challenging instruction through a variety of teaching methods, creates a warm and welcoming environment in the classroom and acts as a collaborative teacher by working with others to innovate and hone their practice.
- Establishes trust with colleagues, advocates for students and allows for collaboration and equitable instruction.
Contributions to School Community
- Demonstrates leadership. Shows efforts to build family-community ties, and also builds trust and partnerships with families and school leaders.
- Adapts to family, cultural and community needs, enriching their school communities by forming partnerships with cultural institutions and community-based organizations.
Who can nominate a teacher?
Anyone, including students, families and members of the community, can nominate one or more teachers for the NYC Public Schools Big Apple Awards.
Nominees can be any current teacher in a NYC district school, charter school or NYCEEC, district school or Pre-K center (early childhood teacher who teaches infants, toddlers and ages 3 to 4.)
Additionally, teachers can also nominate themselves or any other public school teacher for the award.
In addition to community nominations, the selection process includes school community recommendations, applicant essays, video submissions, and classroom visits.
“Big Apple Award nominations are one of the most exciting times of year,” Public Schools Chancellor David Banks said. “Educators are truly the heartbeat of our school system, the center of our NYC Reads strategy, the champions of the pathways initiative, and the very soul of our early childhood education.
The chancellor added, “It is always a privilege to hear about the multitude of ways that they have impacted their school communities, and ultimately honor them with this prestigious award and fellowship.”
Winners will be notified of their award in a surprise visit from New York Public Schools officials in May and June of 2024.
The winning teachers also have the opportunity to participate in the Big Apple Fellowship, which includes leadership development sessions, professional learning communities and conversations with the chancellor.
How to Submit a Nomination
The Big Apple Awards are made possible, in part, by support from the Fund for Public Schools and other partners.
To submit a nomination and get more information about the awards, criteria for selection, Big Apple Award recipients from previous years, visit the Big Apple Awards webpage.
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