Educator of Distinction

NSHSS provides its high school members the opportunity to acknowledge high school teachers, counselors or administrators who have made the most significant contribution to their academic career by nominating them as an Educator of Distinction.

National Society of High School Scholars

Nominations accepted year-round

Illinois Education Association Awards

Students, teachers, retirees, educational support professionals, higher education.

Illinois Education Association

Closed

Any full-time educator of grades K–12 who teaches American history (including state and local history) is eligible for consideration.

Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

April 30, 2025

Art Educators of the Year

Categories include:

• Art Educator of the Year

• Elementary Art Educator

• Middle School Art Educator 

• Secondary Art Educator

• Early Professional Award (3-7 years of teaching)

• Higher Educator Art Educator

• Art Administrator/Supervisor of the Year

• Museum Art Educator of the Year

• ... more

Nominees must be a member of the IAEA.

Illinois Art Education Association

Closed

Kane County Regional Office of Education

Golden Apple Awards

Golden Apple honors outstanding 4th-8th grade teachers and one exemplary principal each year at its annual Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership.

Teachers must work full-time at a public or non-public school in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.

Golden Apple Foundation

Currently Open

The award goes to educators who've shown a commitment to preparing students for success. The winners are nominated by students and must be an Educator of Distinction.

National Society of High School Scholars

Must be first an Educator of Distinction, and then additional nominations are currently open

Those Who Excel

To honor individuals who have made significant contributions to our state's public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools.

Categories include: classroom teacher, school administrator/principal, student support personnel, educational service personnel, school board member/community volunteer, team and early career educator.

Illinois State Board of Education

Closed

A variety of awards aimed at promoting literacy and honoring educators who work in the field

Illinois Reading Council

Various deadlines