This award recognizes an outstanding student in an initial licensure preparation program.

Award Criteria:  Nominees are required to be a student fully admitted to and enrolled in a teacher education program leading to initial licensure (undergraduate or graduate), have current or previous experience working with children or young adults, and have demonstrated a high level of scholarship in previous studies (i.e., minimum 3.25 GPA). A representative from each Virginia institution of higher education is asked to nominate a student and provide the program contact information, public or private institution designation, name and contact information for the nominee, the program of study, and a brief statement describing the nominee’s commitment to becoming a teacher.

All nominees are, in turn, contacted and asked to complete the application process by indicating their contact information, GPA, and a brief description of their career aspirations and why they feel that they would be an effective teacher when they have completed the preparation program. Nominees are also asked to name one faculty or staff member who has had a significant impact on their education and preparation.

Award: Each award will include a certificate, monetary gift ($100), and a complementary spring conference registration.

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This award recognizes an outstanding student in an advanced preparation program.

Award Criteria:  Nominees are required to be fully admitted to and enrolled in a graduate program leading to an endorsement in advanced studies and with a demonstrated high level of scholarship in their graduate studies (i.e., minimum 3.5 GPA). A representative from each institution of higher education (4-year) is asked to nominate a student and to provide the program contact information, public or private institution designation, name and contact information for the nominee, the program of study, and a brief statement describing the nominee’s commitment to advanced study and contributions to the profession.

All nominees are, in turn, contacted and asked to complete the application process by indicating their contact information, GPA, current license, endorsement sought, and a brief description of their teaching experience and how their advanced study is helping to meet their career goals.

Award: Each award will include a certificate, monetary gift ($100), and a complementary spring conference registration.

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This award recognizes an outstanding faculty or staff member who significantly impacted student education and preparation for the recipients of the Outstanding Student in a Virginia Initial Licensure Program Award.

Award: Each award will include a certificate and a complementary spring conference registration.

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This award recognizes collaborative projects that promote student learning, well-being and improvement of teacher preparation. 

Award Criteria: Proposals may be submitted (online) on behalf of any Virginia institution of higher education educator preparation program.  The application must include a description of how the project has been collaboratively designed by school and university partners, and how, based on research and best practice, project activities will lead to improving student learning, well-being and improvement of teacher preparation.  Preference will be given to projects strong in design and in an advanced stage of implementation.

Award: Each award will include a certificate or plaque and a complementary spring conference registration for each partner.

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This award recognizes individuals who, at any point in their undergraduate or graduate program, design and implement a research project addressing a key issue in student learning and/or educator development. 

Award Criteria: Proposals may be submitted on behalf of any student currently enrolled in an initial licensure or advanced preparation degree program at a Virginia higher education institution.  The research proposal must describe current research and literature regarding the issue and clearly outline the proposed research project.  Project proposals are expected to exemplify strong research design and methodology.  Awards will be given for research at various stages in the process, with preference given to those projects in an advanced stage of implementation.  The recipient of the award is expected to collaborate with their faculty mentor to prepare an article defining the research for publication in The Teacher Educators’ Journal, a publication of VACTE.

Award: Each award will include a certificate or plaque and a complementary spring conference registration.

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This award is the Association's highest honor and recognizes an individual, organization, or group whose leadership, acts, or support have significantly benefited public education, education employees, and/or students at the Commonwealth level. This award is presented in the spirit of colleague, friend, and VACTE leader, Dr. Edgar Herbert “Herb” Thompson, Emory and Henry College. 

Award Criteria : Proposals may be submitted on behalf of any VACTE member-institution educator preparation program. Submissions must include evidence of significant impacts benefitting public education, education employees, and/or students at the Commonwealth level.

Award: Each award will include a certificate or plaque and a complementary fall or spring conference registration.  Additionally, the VACTE will make a donation of $500 in the award recipient’s name to the university/college or organizational fund of greatest relevance to the honoree.

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