Learning & Leading Through Technology

The Next ISTE Award Winner Might Be You!

Now is the time to start thinking about nominating yourself or someone else for an ISTE award. The awards program honors exceptional educators who advance the field, demonstrate vision and innovation, and expand student horizons. We sat down with Heidi Ellis, ISTE’s senior membership development manager, to learn more about the awards program.

What are some of the things judges look for in award applications?

Each award has different criteria, but generally we’re looking for innovative educators who have successfully integrated technology to improve their teaching and/or students’ learning in an outstanding way. Nominations may be judged on actual artifacts that can be modeled by other educators or their level of involvement in advocating for educational technology.

What do awardees get if they win?

While each award includes different prize winnings, all awardees receive a one-year ISTE membership and are recognized at ISTE’s Annual Conference and Expo. Additionally, some winners receive travel stipends to the conference, cash prizes, and ISTE products.

How long does it take to complete an award application?

The time it takes depends on the award category and the individual applicant. Applicants should review the required materials. Most awards require a statement or response to essay questions in addition to recommendation letters or teaching artifacts. Gathering all materials electronically ahead of time expedites the application process.

Who judges the categories?

Judges include past award winners, volunteers who have signed up to be a judge through our online form, ISTE staff, and members at large who have expertise in that category. To be considered as a judge, apply for a volunteer position in early 2014.

Aren’t the winners usually veteran teachers with lots of experience and credentials? An award winner can be anyone! While some of the awards look at the breadth of experience, many are project-based, and the Outstanding Young Educator Award is specifically tailored to educators under 35. If you are using technology in an innovative way, have inspired positive change in your school, or have transformed your teaching through technology, consider nominating yourself for an ISTE award! The nomination period is open December 2, 2013, through February 28, 2014. To learn more about ISTE awards and the 2013 winners, visit iste.org/awards.

Diana Fingal is the senior editor for L&L magazine. She has worked as a writer and editor of periodicals for more than 25 years and has worked for ISTE for five years.

SIGMS Technology Innovation Award

(primary school winner)

Matthew Winner, library media specialist, and Albert Yoo, teacher, both of Longfellow Elementary School, Columbia, Maryland, USA; and Sherry Gick, school librarian, and Gretchen Welk, teacher, both of Rossville Elementary School, Rossville, Indiana, USA, for their project “Earth Pals”

SIGMS Technology Innovation Award

(secondary school winner)

Elizabeth Kahn, library media specialist, and Lisa Valence, teacher, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Jefferson, Louisiana, USA, for their project “Traveling to the Ninth Ward” The SIGMS Award honors a school librarian and collaborating teacher who have conducted an exemplary technology program extending beyond the media center.

SIGOL Online Learning Award

Lisa Parisi, teacher, Denton Avenue Elementary School, Long Island, New York, USA, and Donna Roman, teacher, of Mill Creek School, Geneva, Illinois, USA, for their project “Natural Disasters and Us” The SIGOL Learning Award, sponsored by ISTE’s Special Interest Group for Online Learning, recognizes creative educators for their pioneering use of online networks for students in grades K– 16.

Emerging Leaders

Justin Aglio, principal, Propel Braddock Hills High School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Rachel Armstrong, blended learning teacher, Hale Kula Elementary School, Wahiawa, Hawaii, USA Adrienne Gifford, advanced technology specialist, Open Window School, Bellevue, Washington, USA Gabriela Hernandez, instructional technologist, Lewisville ISD, Lewisville, Texas, USA Sara Hunter, STEM teacher and coach, Zionsville Community Schools, Zionsville, Indiana, USA Bill Selak, teacher, Covina-Valley Unified, Covina, California, USA Ashley Webb, CTE and photography teacher, Open High School of Utah, West Jordan, Utah, USA Emerging Leaders are young educators who are also leaders in technology integration.