NYSCSS Professional Educator Award Descriptions

The Outstanding Social Studies Classroom Teacher Award (Elementary, Middle School, 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 person nominated 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 for at least five years in the award category for which he or she is nominated. 

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 significantly 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. 

The 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.

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. 

NYSCSS Nomination Procedures

Nominations may be made by an individual or by an organization such as a local council or school. Letters of support from the local council (if the candidate is a member), colleagues, supervisors, parents and students (where appropriate), along with other forms of documentation such as media articles and sample teaching materials, are strongly urged.

Please note the following Nomination Rules:

AWARDS SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY DECEMBER 31 EACH YEAR.

E-mail submissions are preferred – please attach the Awards Nomination Form in your e-mail.  Postal mail submissions are also accepted and should include the  completed Nomination Form. Please send your nomination to one of our NYSCSS Award Committee Chairs:

Mary Duffin                          111 Lynbrook Circle DeWitt, NY 13214   Phone: (315) 446-9436 mduffin2@verizon.net

David Babikian Cicero-North Syracuse High School 6002 Route 31 Cicero, NY 13039 Phone: (315) 439-7887 dbabikia@nscsd.org

NYS4A Outstanding Social Studies Supervisor Award

An 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 will be evaluated on the following:

Selection Criteria

The recipient:

●       Is a current member of NYS4A as of July 1, 2018.

●       Has remained abreast of new developments in social studies.

●       Has incorporated innovative and effective supervisory techniques.

●       Displays a commitment to excellence in social studies education.

●       Fosters professional growth.

Selection Process

1. The Committee, consisting of past winners and chaired by the NYS4A Vice President, will request nominations through the NYS4A and NYSCSS newsletters with an appropriate deadline.
2. The Awards Committee will make a recommendation to the Executive Officers of NYS4A. In the event that no nominations are received, the committee will nominate a candidate to be designated as the winner.
3. An individual may win the award only once.

A recent photograph of the candidate and a resume will be required when the candidate is selected as an award recipient.

The award winner’s photographs will appear in the Convention Program.

Award

1. The winner will be recognized at the Annual Convention.
2. The award will consist of a plaque.

General Directions

l. Please attach a 300-350 word rationale which states why the nominee should be considered for the award. Be sure to address the award criteria. 

2. Supporting documentation, such as letters of support and a resume, is required.

3. 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 Program and on the NYS4A website.

4. The award winners will receive public recognition at the NYSCSS & NYS4A Awards Banquet at the 80th annual convention in March 2019 in Albany. The Award Winner and one guest will be the guests of NYSCSS & NYS4A at the Awards Luncheon.   In addition, award winners will be expected to submit a proposal for a workshop presentation and present at the 2020 NYSCSS/NYS4A Conference to share their award-winning practice with our members.

5. Previous award winners are ineligible for consideration.

6. Note that membership in NYS4A is separate from membership in the New York State Council for the Social Studies.

7. 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.

8. The Awards Committee will make its recommendations to the Executive Officers of NYS4A. The Executive Officers are responsible for finalizing the decision of the winner of the award.

These may be sent separately but must be received by:  January 4, 2019. 

EMAIL IS PREFERRED.   Please email a PDF to: Terrance_McCarthy@webstercsd.org

Send all materials to:
Dr. Terry McCarthy

Vice-President, NYS4A

c/o Webster Central School District

119 South Avenue

Webster, NY  14580