The Social Studies School Service Civil Rights/Civil Liberties Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes and honors the accomplishments of a social studies teacher in the area of Civil Rights/Civil Liberties. Nominees inspire students to be fully informed about their Civil Rights and Civil Liberties assured by the Constitution. This teacher is someone who inspires students to take informed action when they see injustices and to be responsible contributing members of our democracy. This award captivates the spirit of Ida B. Wells-Barnette, James Lawson, Diane Nash, John Lewis and others and serves to honor a teacher who is striving to continue his or her work advancing civil rights and civil liberties. The recipient will be recognized at a luncheon during the annual Conference held by the Tennessee Council for the Social Studies.
Award: $200 and a plaque
Eligibility: All Tennessee Elementary, Middle, or High School Teachers teaching social studies are eligible. Self-Nominations are welcome.
Demonstrated ability to:
The K-12 educator has made a significant effort to teach the concept of justice in a creative, inspiring way. This might include, but not be limited to, teaching about civil liberties, human rights, international justice, the Holocaust, genocide studies, and local issues of justice.
Close attention will be focused on applicants who possess the ability to expose injustice while at the same time inspiring their students to improve the world through justice, service or advocacy.
Nominees may design a special lesson, course of study, create a school or district project, or lead their students in some way to promote civil rights or civil liberties.
Eligibility
· Current K-12 teacher with minimum of 3 years teaching experience
· Elementary teacher: must be currently teaching Social Studies
· Secondary teacher: must teach Social Studies for the majority of the day
· Will continue to teach (K-12) for a minimum of one year after receiving the award
· Be employed and in good standing by a school district or private school
- At least one letter supporting the nomination must be submitted (for self-nominations, there must be an accompanying letter of recommendation from another source).
- It should be noted that the award is not designated as a “lifetime achievement award”, but one that recognizes great teaching by any nominee with a minimum of three years’ experience.
- Deadline for completed applications is Monday, January 12, 2026.