NYSCSS seeks your nomination to recognize exemplary social studies professionals in New York State. Consider nominating a colleague or yourself for any of our awards below.  Our annual awards celebrate excellence in teaching and service in social studies education. We honor educators each year in the following areas:

• Outstanding Social Studies Classroom Teacher Award (Elementary, Middle and High School) 

  The Outstanding Social Studies Classroom Teacher Award (Elementary, Middle School, and High School) will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional teaching ability at the elementary or middle or high school level and is currently teaching. There will be separate awards for each level. The winners must be knowledgeable in social studies content as well as pedagogy and must be able to relate successfully to students at the level for which the nomination is made. The nominee must have taught at least five years in the award category for which he/she/they is/are nominated.  Evidence of community engagement and to the field of social studies should be evident in materials submitted. To receive this award the nominee must be a current member of NYSCSS in good standing.

  
  

• Outstanding Social Studies Supervisor Award

  The Outstanding Supervisor Award will be given each year to a supervisor/chairperson who has demonstrated outstanding social studies supervision at the elementary and/or secondary level. The person nominated has remained abreast of new developments in social studies and  incorporated innovative and effective supervisory techniques.  The nominee will display a commitment to excellence in social studies education and foster professional growth. To receive this award the nominee must be a current member of NYSCSS in good standing.

  
  

• Distinguished Social Studies Educator Award

  The Distinguished Social Studies Educator Award will be presented to an individual who exemplifies the best in professional social studies education in New York State. The person should have considerable visibility and a significant positive impact on social studies education in this state and possibly at the national level. The person’s contributions should be widely known and should be well-documented over a period of five years or more. To receive this award the nominee must be a current member of NYSCSS in good standing.

  
  

• John Roy Continuing Social Studies Service Memorial Award

  The John Roy Continuing Social Studies Service Award will be presented to a NYSCSS member in good standing who has officially filed with their retirement system and who has made and continues to make significant contributions to the success of NYSCSS.

  
  

• Susan Wasserman Young Professional Memorial Award 

  The Susan Wasserman Young Professional Memorial Award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional teaching potential within the first five years of teaching. The person nominated must be knowledgeable in social studies content as well as pedagogy and must be able to relate successfully to students. Evidence of community engagement and to the field of social studies should be evident in materials submitted. To receive this award the nominee must be a current member of NYSCSS in good standing. 

  
  

• Benita Jorkasky Outstanding College Educator Memorial Award

  The Benita Jorkasky Outstanding College Educator Memorial Award will be presented to an individual who exemplifies the best in professional social studies education at the college level in New York State. The person should have a significant positive impact on social studies education in this state and possibly at the national level. To receive this award the nominee must be a current member of NYSCSS in good standing.

  NYSCSS Nomination Procedures

  Step one:  Nominations may be made by an individual or by an organization such as a local council or school. Use this link to nominate an educator for an award.  These nominations are due December 12, 2025.    Nominees must be a member of NYSCSS from July 1, 2025.  Membership status will be checked at this step in the process. 

  Step two:  Eligible nominees will be contacted by Laura Mecca-Retzlaff, Chair of the NYSCSS Awards Committee and invited to complete the Nomination Information Form.  Completed Nomination Information Forms are due January 2, 2026.  Nominees will be evaluated based on the completion of the Form, their resume, a 250-500 word rationale explaining why they should be considered for this award, and at least one professional reference or letter of support.  

  Nomination Procedures: 

  • A recent photograph of the candidate should be available to send via e-mail if the candidate is selected as an awards recipient. Award winners’ photographs will appear in the Convention and Awards Ceremony Program.

  • The Awards Committee will make its recommendations to the Board of Directors of NYSCSS. The Board of Directors is responsible for finalizing the decision of the winner of each award.

  • The award winners will receive public recognition at an Awards Ceremony that will take place during the NYSCSS annual convention. They will be guests of NYSCSS at the Awards Ceremony and receive a plaque. In addition, award winners will receive a workshop session during the convention to share their award-winning practice with our members.

  • Previous award winners are ineligible for consideration in the award category for which they were previously honored.

  • Previous nominees who did not win in the previous year are eligible for consideration for this year’s awards. Nominations need to be updated.

  • It is the responsibility of the nominator to inform the award candidate if his or her nomination needs to be updated.

  AWARD NOMINATIONS ARE DUE DECEMBER 12, 2025.  COMPLETED NOMINATION FORMS ARE DUE JANUARY 2, 2026.

  Questions? Contact Laura Mecca-Retzlaff at awards@nyscss.org.