The application period for the 2013 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators closed January 31, 2013. Information on the 2014 award will be available in October 2013.

• Application Requirements
• Application Form

Application Requirements

1. General information about the teacher. The first section of the application includes contact information, eligibility review, and a summary of teaching experience.
2. Six brief essays. The second section of the application lists 6 essay questions that teachers are required to respond to in based on the selection criteria.
   • Teachers should be certain to adequately address each question in their responses, and, as applicable, include a narrative for the accompanying sample teaching materials in section 3 (see below).
   • If the teacher’s response to a particular question cites information provided in the answer to another question or in the sample teaching materials, the response should clearly indicate where the information is located so that the reviewer may easily find it.
   • Essay length, font type & size specifications. The total length of the essays must not exceed 9 pages (an essay may start on the same page the previous essay ended); additional pages will not be read or evaluated. Essays are to be written in Times New Roman font, size 11 or 12, line spacing 1.5, margins no smaller than 0.5 inches.
3. Sample teaching materials. The third section of the application requests supportive materials that demonstrate the teacher's work with students.
   • Content - Materials from one unit/curriculum or module that the teacher has taught. Indicate how these materials were used, and how the students responded to them.
   • Source(s) - The materials may be original to the teacher or may be from an existing education curricula source. If existing environmental education curricula or activities are submitted, the source of the materials must be documented.
   • Length - The total length of the sample teaching materials may not exceed 5 pages. Materials must include a brief description about how they are used. Teachers may include up to 5 pages of photos, which must also be clearly labeled. (Note that photos are optional.) Web links to supporting teaching materials, such as photos (5 or fewer pages) and sound and/or video recordings (10 or fewer minutes total playing time) may also be provided, but must be accompanied by a brief description of the project. Reviewers will not attempt to find online content for invalid hyperlinks, so please make sure they are active.
4. Three letters of support. These letters must be from individuals who are personally familiar with the quality of the teacher’s instruction in environmental education. One letter of support must come from an LEA or school administrator, one from a fellow teacher, and one from a past or current student. Letters of support must not exceed one page and must include the following:
   • Relationship to teacher;
   • Familiarity with the teacher and the work for which the teacher is being considered;
   • Perspective on why the teacher’s work is unique and innovative in the field of environmental education, and how the teacher might inspire others to utilize environmental education.

Application Form

Online Submissions

The submission period for applications for the 2013 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators is closed. Information on how to apply for the 2014 award will be available in October 2013.

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Hard Copy Submissions

Hard copies must be sent by either U.S. Postal Service mail or a commercial delivery service, but either way must be postmarked by January 31, 2013 to be eligible for consideration.

When using mail or a commercial delivery service for your submission, please be certain to include all of the required supporting documents outlined above to ensure your application receives full consideration.

Please send your hard copy submission to:

U.S. Postal Service:
Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators
Tetra Tech EM Inc.
1881 Campus Commons Drive, Suite 200
Reston, VA 20191
 

Express mail (FedEx & UPS), hand delivery or courier service:
Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators
Tetra Tech EM Inc.
1881 Campus Commons Drive, Suite 200
Reston, VA 20191
Phone: 703-391-5875

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