The Outstanding Educator Award from STEM Forward recognizes K-12 professionals who strive toward the highest levels of excellence within their schools and community, with a focus on initiative and continuous improvement in every aspect of their work. The 2022-2023 Outstanding Educator will be celebrated at the Annual STEM Forward Virtual Dinner in January or February 2023. The winner(s) will present a breakout session on their practice in the classroom/community at the Spring Educator Forum in April 2023.
 
OVERARCHING CRITERIA:
Outstanding Educator recipients should embody the following aims of STEM Forward in their work:
1. Foster high K-12 student achievement.
2. Exhibit leadership and support for continuous improvement.
3. Promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.
4. Demonstrate collaboration among K-12 schools, businesses and higher education.

SUBMITTING A NOMINATION:
Nominators are advised to use the following form and notify the district office of submission (superintendent, director of schools, curriculum director, or equivalent).
 
Questions? Call Sarah Ness, Program Manager, at 507-281-6678 or e-mail sness@ssc.coop.  

THE PROCESS:
The STEM Forward Executive Committee reviews all nominations and selects Award recipients.  The rubric below, which stresses numerical evidence and tangible achievements, is used in ranking nominations.  (Note:  If significant emphasis is placed at a nominee’s school on department/team results rather than on individual educator results, such collective results can be used in documenting an individual’s record of success.)

Outstanding Educator recipients will be notified via e-mail and/or U.S. mail in December 2021.

The Outstanding Educator Award will be presented to the recipient(s) at the 30th STEM Forward Awards & Annual Dinner, to which recipients, nominators, and a guest each will be invited.  This event will be held at (TBD) in Rochester In January or February 2023.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:  Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.

To view a list of previous award winners visit www.ssc.coop/page/375.
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Please identify how this educator supports the aims of STEM Forward in his or her work.   Use the following rubric below to guide you as you respond.  To the extent possible, address each of the four rubric criteria in your nomination, providing specific examples and identifying measurable results. If significant emphasis is placed at a nominee’s school on department/team results rather than on individual educator results, such collective results can be used in documenting an individual’s record of success.

RUBRIC:

HIGH STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
1 - Improvement is anecdotal, not quantified
2 - Demonstrated, measurable improvement in achievement
3 - Demonstrated, measurable improvement in achievement over an extended period of time

Examples:  * Students meet goal of retaining 90% of material they are expected to know by the course’s final day.  * All students make AYP in subject area * Classroom MCA results meet or exceed district, state average.  * Students’ scores on ACT test are consistently higher than state and national averages.  * Students succeed in regional, state and national competitions.

LEADERSHIP, SUPPORT FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT (CI)
1 - Limited evidence of strategic CI practices
2 - Use of recognized CI tools and practices in educational setting is evident, with some documented results
3 - Several indicators of CI leadership and/or use of CI tools and practices in educational setting, with measurable results

Examples: * Each summer, with the direction and leadership of this educator, the high school’s science department reexamines 100 key concepts for each grade level and discusses teaching strategies that will result in higher achievement.     * Educator sought additional training in continuous improvement methods.  * Students are given formal opportunity to provide feedback to the instructor on what is working and what isn’t.

EARLY CAREER AWARENESS, EXPLORATION AND PLANNING FOR STEM CAREERS
1 - No evidence of building STEM career awareness
2 - Some evidence of building awareness of STEM careers
3 - Actively encourages awareness of STEM careers

Examples: * Invites experts from the STEM Forward speaker’s bureau into the classroom to expose students to real applications and career opportunities.  * Assists students with entry into STEM programs or hiring in STEM job areas.  * Supports exploration of STEM career choices through mentorships, site visits, etc.

COLLABORATION AND LEADERSHIP AMONG STEM FORWARD DISTRICTS, BUSINESS, AND POST-SECONDARY/HIGHER EDUCATION
1 - Limited contact with other educators or partners
2 - Works with others within district to improve student learning
3 - Works with others across districts, with business partners and/or with higher education to improve student learning

Examples:  * Participates in programs offered through IBM, Mayo Clinic, UMR, RCTC, Winona State, Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce. * Collaborates across disciplines and grade levels within the district. * Collaborates and shares across districts, e.g., through a Southeast Service Cooperative program, as a presenter at a STEM Forward professional development forum, as a panelist at a Workforce Development event.