Calling all Participate Learning Ambassador Teachers and U.S. partner teachers!
We are so excited to announce the 2024 Participate Learning Teacher of the Year awards! This year, we will recognize three teachers in the Participate Learning Network who have shown an exceptional commitment to their students and school community, and have exemplified our shared mission of uniting our world through global learning.
The 2024 Teacher of the Year awards are open to:
- All Participate Learning Ambassador Teachers.
- U.S. teachers in partner schools that implement our Participate Learning Global Leaders framework and/or a Dual Language Program.
Applicants should show your commitment to teaching global perspectives in your classroom and your dedication to the Participate Learning mission by sharing examples of:
- Connections
- Connections with your students, colleagues at school, your community, fellow members of the Participate Learning Network, and beyond.
- Cultural Experiences
- Cultural experiences you provide for your students, school, and community by sharing your own culture, recognizing all of the cultures represented in your classroom, and teaching about cultures from around the world. U.S. and global cultural experiences you embrace for your own personal and professional growth.
- Leadership
- Leadership roles you serve in on your grade level or team, within your school, in the Participate Learning Network, and in your community.
- Learning
- Professional development opportunities that advance your own learning, as well as the creative and innovative global and/or language learning experiences that you provide for your students.
Throughout your application also highlight examples of how you:
- Embody the global competencies.
- Impact students, colleagues, your community, the Participate Learning Network, and beyond.
- (For Spanish and Mandarin Dual Language Program teachers) Implement the dual language teaching practices in accordance with your school’s specified model.
Eligibility
Ambassador Teachers
- All applicants must be a member of at least one Participate Learning community of practice.
- All applicants must be active 1st–5th term Ambassador Teachers during the current 2023-24 school year.
- All applicants must be in good standing as J-1 visa holders with Participate Learning.
- Applicants in their 1st–4th terms must be planning to renew their teaching commitment for the 2024-25 school year.
U.S. Partner Teachers
- All applicants must be a member of at least one Participate Learning community of practice.
- All applicants must currently teach in a partner school that is implementing the Participate Learning Global Leaders framework and/or a Dual Language Program.
- Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years of teaching experience in K-12 classrooms.
- Applicants must intend to renew their teaching commitment at their current school for the 2024-25 school year.
- Applicants must be in good standing at their school and district.
Timeline
The timeline for applications and all award announcements is as follows:
- Applications Open—Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
- Applications Close—Sunday, March 31, 2024.
- Finalist Notifications—Finalists will be notified on or before Friday, April 12, 2024.
- Finalist Course Submissions Due—Sunday, April 21, 2024.
- Award Winner Celebrations—Announcements and award presentations will take place after Monday, May 13, 2024.
Awards Package
Winners of the 2024 Participate Learning Teacher of the Year awards will receive:
- A $1,000 check for your personal use
- A new Apple laptop
- A commemorative framed certificate
Over the course of their one year as a 2024 Participate Learning Teacher of the Year, winners will commit to continuing their efforts to unite our world through global learning and to share these efforts with others.
Winners may also have opportunities to:
- Engage in professional development experiences.
- Present at conferences, Participate Learning events, and other virtual and in person events.
- Receive sponsorships for presenting at conferences or other events.
- Share their experiences and knowledge with members of the Participate Learning Network.
Application Instructions
In order to be eligible for consideration, all application materials are due by midnight on Sunday, March 31, 2024. This includes:
- The completed Interest and Nomination Form.
- The completed 2024 Participate Learning Teacher of the Year application course which includes:
- A recommendation letter from your principal or assistant principal.
- A global educator portfolio (in the form of a slideshow, video compilation, Prezi, Google doc, or any presentation format of your choice).
This portfolio must include four sections that are labeled with the categories listed below and that highlight your experiences and efforts in these areas:
- Connections
- Cultural Experiences
- Leadership
- Learning
Your portfolio should include a variety of text, photos, and/or short video clips that show evidence of teaching, learning, and student work that illustrate:
- An emphasis on the importance of learning about and appreciating different cultures from around the world.
- The positive impact you and your students have on the world–through thinking globally and acting locally.
- How you integrate and model the global competencies and how students demonstrate them.
- The integration of current events and other global issues into the curriculum.
- A global look and feel in your classroom.
Apply or Nominate Here
Are you ready to apply or nominate a Participate Learning Ambassador Teacher or U.S. teacher from one of our partner schools that implements the Participate Learning Global Leaders framework and/or a Dual Language Program?
Fill out the Interest and Nomination Form below to learn more about the next steps!
Please email Juliana Deitch with any questions.