Each year the ITEEA recognizes Program Excellence Award winners from each affiliate at three levels: elementary, middle and high schools. The OTEEA selects the programs to be recognized as the State (ITEEA) Program Excellence winners and presents each with certificates at the Spring conference. The recipient will be presented compensation for travel and housing to attend the ITEEA conference to receive their national awards.

In selecting the Program Excellence award winners the following procedures and criteria will be used:
1. All OTEEA Districts are encouraged to nominate programs at each level to be considered for the State (ITEEA) awards. Programs are not selected as the State Program Excellence winners will be awarded state district certificates of excellence as well.
2. The ITEEA criteria will be used to nominate and select the Program Excellence winners plus the requirement of all teachers having been members of the OTEEA for at least one year and have been ITEEA members the past two years.
3. ITEEA criteria- letters of support from administration or fellow educators demonstrating: teaching, motivation, innovative practices, community responsibility,