Awards and Recognition
Awards Resource (Credit: Jason Bullock) - Resource is out of date as some awards have changed at the National Level. The information below is CURRENT as 12-9-24!
Awards Form for Districts submitted to Chris Carlson by April 1st
NAAE Membership Excellence Awards - Visit this site for details on the awards.
The Washington Association of Agricultural Educators, in cooperation with the National Association of Agricultural Educators, recognize members with a variety of award opportunities. Each of the areas are listed below with information regarding application possibilities for regional and national recognition.
Outstanding Early Career Teacher*: This award recognizes outstanding members who are in their third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh year of teaching at the time they apply are eligible for this award. District members select an Outstanding Young Member from their district, these nominees are recognized at the state level. To qualify for regional and national recognition, nominees must complete the online national application. Applicants must have been a member of NAAE for the three previous years or continuously since the applicant began teaching.
Outstanding Agriculture Teacher*: This NAAE Outstanding Agriculture Teacher Award celebrates the dedication of NAAE members who foster boundless classroom and limitless learning for their students. This award recognizes their role in shaping the future and honors their contributions to developing the next generation of citizens and agricultural leaders. Recipients are recognized for their program development innovation as well as their commitment to lifelong learning. Each applicant must have been a NAAE member the five (5) previous years or continuously since the applicant began teaching. Applicants must be in at least their 8th year of teaching at the time of applying.
Outstanding Middle/Secondary Program*: This award recognizes outstanding agricultural education programs and effectively communicates success stories. District members select an Outstanding Program from their district, these nominees are recognized at the state level. To qualify for regional and national recognition, nominees must complete the online national application. Application should only highlight the program goals and achievements over the last FIVE years (2020-2025).
Teacher Mentor Award*: This award program honors those NAAE members who have committed their time and expertise to supporting and celebrating other teachers in the profession. Even though much focus is given to beginning teacher mentoring, mentoring becomes a part of lifelong learning, and this award also highlights those teachers that dedicate their career to advancing our profession through mentoring on all levels including experienced teachers. Each applicant must have been a NAAE member the three (3) previous years or continuously since the teacher began teaching.
Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program Award*: Young farmer and adult agricultural education programs and farm business management programs are eligible for this award along with postsecondary agricultural education programs. Qualifying young farmer, farm business management instructors, and/or adult ag ed program staff must devote at least 50 percent of their teaching time to this level of instruction. All active and active life NAAE members, except current members of the NAAE board of directors, are eligible to enter. All full-time instructors within the applicant institution, or of the department within the applicant institution, must have been members of NAAE for the three (3) previous years or continuously since they began teaching. **This application should only highlight the program goals and achievements over the last FIVE years. (2020-2025)**
Lifetime Achievement Award*: The NAAE Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes retired agricultural educators who have made significant contributions by providing visionary leadership, advocacy and service to our profession. These leaders have spent a career dedicated to students, our profession and growing our organization. All retired and retired life NAAE members, except current members of the NAAE board of directors, are eligible to apply. Each applicant must currently be a retired member and have been an active or active life member in the last ten years.
*SPECIAL NOTE: ANY QUALIFIED APPLICANT MAY APPLY FOR THIS AWARD AT THE STATE LEVEL, EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT DISTRICT NOMINEES!
Visionary Impact Award: The NAAE Visionary Impact Award recognizes administrators, businesses, and organizations who have made significant contributions related to agricultural education that have led to the improvement, promotion, development, and progress of agricultural education. Administrators, businesses, organizations, and others who contributions have positively impacted agricultural education can apply.
Outstanding Service Award: The NAAE Outstanding Service Award recognizes experienced agricultural educators who have made significant contributions to agricultural education by supporting teachers and students on the local, state, region, and/or national level. These humble leaders have spent their careers energized by the responsibility of shaping the future one student at a time. All active and active life NAAE members, except current members of the NAAE board of directors, are eligible to apply. Each applicant must have been a NAAE member the ten (10) previous years or continuously since the applicant began teaching. At the national level, NAAE members must at least be in their twentieth (20th) year of teaching agriculture at the time they apply to NAAE.
Teachers Turn the Key: This award program is for members who are in their second, third or fourth year of teaching at the time they apply are eligible for this award. (When the awards are presented at the subsequent NAAE convention, the scholarship recipients will be in their third, fourth or fifth year of teaching.) Applicants must be a member of NAAE during the year of application and be a member of NAAE at the time of the convention at which they receive the scholarship. All state winners must agree to attend the entire NAAE convention.
Ideas Unlimited: The Ideas Unlimited award opens the doors to a world of boundless classrooms and limitless learning opportunities for active members at every age and in every stage of their careers. NAAE members have the opportunity to exchange classroom, experiential learning, leadership, and other teaching ideas. The idea may be original or drawn from collective inspiration. Applicants are invited to showcase its implementation and how the idea can enhance agricultural education through this award category. All active NAAE members, except current members of the NAAE board of directors, who are teaching agricultural education are eligible to enter this competition. In addition, each applicant must have been a NAAE member the three (3) previous years or continuously since he/she began teaching. There are no restrictions limiting the number of times an individual can win the regional contest.
Outstanding Administrator: This award recognizes outstanding administrators who support and nurture agricultural education programs. District members select an Outstanding Administrator from their district, these nominees are recognized at the state level. There is no regional or national competition for this award.
Outstanding Legislator: The state would also like to recognize an outstanding legislature for their support of agricultural education. Nominee names should be given to the WAAE Executive Director. The executive committee will select the state winner and present their award during banquet.
Outstanding New Teacher: District members select an Outstanding Rookie from their district. Only one rookie or first year teacher is selected per district. There is no regional or national competition for this award.
30 Minute Club: This award program is to recognize teachers who have spent at least 30 minutes promoting agricultural education and/or education in general through the media beyond the borders of the state. Qualifying members must identify themselves on registration forms during summer conference.
Teacher of Teachers: This award program recognizes teachers who have previous students who are new teachers in agricultural education. Teachers with one or two new teachers will receive a bronze certificate. Teachers with three or four new teachers will receive a silver certificate and teachers with five or more new teachers will receive a gold certificate. A certificate is presented each time a new teacher is added. Qualifying members must identify themselves on registration forms during summer conference.
Years of Service: The WAAE recognizes members at every 5 years of membership with WAAE membership certificates. When a member reaches the 25 year mark, they are presented with an engraved watch from the state organization. Retiring teachers are also recognized at the annual conference and banquet.
Awards Applications can be found HERE and are due in the Spring, Date TBD but will be updated after Spring Exec.