Virginia Association of Teachers of English

Awards

Awards

VATE seeks to recognize outstanding English educators from across the state of Virginia. VATE recognizes preservice English education teachers as well as exceptional service by VATE board members.

To nominate yourself (if applicable) or someone for an award, go to www.vate.org for the Awards Nomination form.

Individual award criteria is detailed for each award.

The VATE Board has the choice of giving awards each year.

Award Breakdown

English K-16 Educator Awards

• Heritage Award (K-16)
• Virginia English Journal Writing Award (K-16)
• Foster B. Gresham Award (K-12)
• NCTE High School Teacher of Excellence Award (9-12)
• Janice Suppa-Friedman Scholarship (K-12)

Preservice English Teacher Awards

• Mary T. Davis Diversity Award
• Richard A. Meade Student Teaching Scholarship

Award Breakdown

Awards for VATE Board Members

• Frances N. Wimer Award
• Chuck Miller VATE Service Award

English K-16 Educator Awards

Heritage Award

Purpose: to recognize a person of color who has made noteworthy contributions to the field within the past three calendar years.

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Rationale:

The recipient of the Heritage Award must be a current member of VATE and a person of color who has made noteworthy contributions to the field within the past three calendar years prior to and including the year of nomination. The nominee may be an elementary, middle, secondary or college level educator who has made significant strides in advancing multicultural awareness.

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Deadline: Sept. 1

Chair: Multicultural Liaison

Heritage Award

Procedures:

• The nominee must be a current member of VATE and a person of color.
• Nomination materials should include the VATE Awards Nomination Form which will succinctly speak to the qualifications of the nominee for the award. The nominee cannot nominate himself/herself.
• The nominee must include a letter of introduction that provides specific examples of activities in which the nominee was engaged, the intended purpose and audience for these, and the nominee’s overall rationale for advancing multiculturalism.
• The nominee will submit 2 letters of support that highlight specific activities in which the nominee was engaged detailing the significant strides in advancing multicultural awareness made by the nominee.
• The awards committee will consist of the multicultural liaison as chair, along with the secretary, and the elementary, junior high/middle, secondary, and college members- at-large.
• Applications may be kept active for three years. Files will be maintained by the chair of the Heritage Award Committee. It is the responsibility of the nominee and nominator to supply updated information for the files. This is necessary if the committee receives more than one submission or the committee decides not to give the award to the submission based on provided documentation.

Deadline: Sept. 1

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Recognition:

• The recipient will receive a certificate at the VATE fall conference.
• Conference registration will be paid by VATE.
• Membership for the year will be included with the registration.

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Virginia English Journal Writing Awards

Purpose: to recognize teachers who excel in professional writing and to encourage teachers K-12 and college level professors to share effective instructional ideas, strategies, and perceptions in the Virginia English Journal.

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Rationale: Awards shall be given every year to the author(s) of one article selected by the VEJ Editor. All articles and authors published in the journal shall be considered for the award.

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Deadline: August 1 for submission to board, September 15 for votes tallied

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Chair: Virginia English Journal Editor

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Virginia English Journal Writing Awards

Procedures:

• The VEJ editor will nominate the top three caliber articles from the past two issues. The editor will share these articles with the VATE board members before the August meeting. The VATE board will vote on what they think to be the best article. The voting will be managed by the VEJ editor.
• THe VEJ Editor will inform the VATE Board of the results of the poll.
• The two articles that do not receive first place will be considered “Honorable Mentions.”
• The Executive Secretary, VEJ Editor, shall write the "winners” and “honorable mentions" to notify them of the selection, the award "prize," and to invite them to the VATE Fall Conference for appropriate recognition.
• The Executive Secretary shall have a suitable certificate printed which bears appropriate designations and has designated spaces for signatures by the VATE President, President-Elect, and VEJ Editor. Inscription should designate VIRGINIA ENGLISH JOURNAL Award or VIRGINIA ENGLISH JOURNAL Writing Honorable Mention Award. Space should also be provided for the date of award.

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Recognition:

• The author(s) of the winning article shall be honored at the annual VATE conference with a certificate.
• They shall further be recognized in VATE Voices and VIRGINIA ENGLISH JOURNAL.
• "Honorable Mentions" will also be recognized in VATE Voices and VIRGINIA ENGLISH JOURNAL.

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Foster B. Gresham Award

Purpose: to recognize a teacher in Virginia and a current member of VATE, who has distinguished himself/herself in commitment and service to his/her students.

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Rationale: Foster Bagwell Gresham (1905-1980) taught English at Emporia High School, Randolph-Macon Academy, Charlottesville School for Boys, Lane High School, and Longwood College. He was a key figure in the growth of VATE; he became President in 1951, the second editor of the VIRGINIA ENGLISH BULLETIN (name changed to Virginia English Journal in 2012) in 1952, and VATE's first Executive Secretary in 1958. His leadership during those seven years helped propel VATE from a struggling membership of about one hundred teachers to over two thousand. To name this award for him recognizes the indebtedness of the Association to him and exemplifies at the same time what Foster B. Gresham meant to the teaching of English in Virginia--EXCELLENCE. (Condensed from Richard Meade's article, "Tribute to 'Mr. VATE'" in VEJ, Spring, 1981)

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Deadline: Sept. 1

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Chair: The College Member-at-Large will chair the Foster B. Gresham award committee.

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Janice Suppa-Friedman Scholarship

Purpose: To honor Janice Suppa Friedman by awarding a scholarship to a teacher who is currently in his/her first through fourth years of teaching.

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Rationale: The Virginia Association of Teachers of English celebrates the former VATE president and NCTE liaison, Janice Suppa-Friedman, who died on November 26th, 2016. Jan was a long time member of the executive board, serving in several positions in a span of over twenty years. Jan was a high school teacher and department chair in the Prince William school division for 24 years and a highly regarded educational consultant after retiring from the classroom.

She first came to the board as the representative of the NATE affiliate, which stretched from Winchester to Fredericksburg. In 2004, while serving as president-elect, Jan put together a coalition of English/language arts supervisors from NATE and enlisted their aid in orchestrating one of the most successful conferences in VATE history, featuring such renowned authors as Orson Scott Card and Sharon Draper.

After concluding her commitment to the presidential track, Jan served as NCTE liaison, and during her tenure in that position, VATE won the first of eight “NCTE Affiliate of Excellence” awards, largely due to Jan’s efforts. In fact, VATE garnered the coveted award five times on Jan’s watch, a record that may never be equaled. As VATE’s NCTE liaison, Jan instituted several new initiatives and coordinated VATE’s participation in NCTE’s Literacy Education Advocacy Day.

This scholarship has been set up in Jan’s name by her husband, Michael Friedman.

Janice Suppa-Friedman Scholarship

Deadline: Sept. 1

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Chair: Past President

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Procedures:

• The Chair of the scholarship will be the Past President. The Past President will chair a committee consisting of the members at large, Executive Secretary, and the Vice President to determine the winner.
• The candidate must meet all requirements (found below in eligibility criteria) and submit all documentation to include:
• his/her resume
• 1 letter of recommendation
• 250-500 words stating why he/she is applying for this scholarship, what he/she has accomplished in his/her first year or years of teaching to include preservice placements, and what he/she intends to do with the new knowledge from the conference.
• The committee shall determine the winner of the scholarship, and the chair will notify him/her before the conference.
• The award chair and the president will contact Mr. Friedman by letter to notify him of the winner and their credentials.

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Janice Suppa-Friedman Scholarship

Eligibility Criteria:

• At the time of the conference, the candidate is currently in his/her first through fourth years of teaching.
• The candidate must be a licensed teacher currently teaching at any level, pre-kindergarten through collegiate levels.
• The candidate is a current Virginia resident.
• The candidate does not need to be a current VATE member at the time of application.
• The candidate may or may not be presenting at or an award winner at the conference.

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Recognition:

• The scholarship will cover the base conference registration.
• Membership for the year will be included with the registration.
• The winner will receive a certificate.

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Preservice English Teacher Awards

Richard A. Meade Student Teaching Scholarship

Purpose: The Richard A. Meade Student Teaching Scholarship has been established by VATE to honor the late Dr. Meade, a professor of English education at the University of Virginia from 1934-82. The scholarship, which rewards the efforts of highly capable students entering teaching, represents VATE’s commitment to improving English language arts instruction in Virginia schools.

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Rationale: Dr. Richard A. Meade was the recipient of VATE’s first Distinguished Service Award in 1980. He was Professor Emeritus of English Education at the University of Virginia, and furthered the profession by his influence on individual English educators, such as Robert Small, Alan McLeod, and Guy Ellis, and by his dedicated service to both VATE and VCTE. He was one of the founders of NCTE’s Conference on English Education, a leader in NCTE’s ALAN and Middle School Assembly. His voice on censorship, textbook selections, certification standards, and curriculum has been instrumental in shaping today’s English education in Virginia.

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Deadline: September 1

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Chair: College Member-At-Large/VCEE Liaison

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Richard A. Meade Student Teaching Scholarship

Procedures:

• The VCEE Liaison will send out information about the award to Virginia colleges April 1 of each year (2-11-89).
• The VCEE liaison will send materials to the selection committee and oversee the selection process.
• Chair of the selection committee shall be the VCEE Liaison. The selection committee will consist of the chair and the 4 members-at-large (2018.)
• The applicant must submit all of the following documentation to the award chair by the deadline:
• The applicant will indicate interest in and need for the scholarship through a writing sample of not more than 200 words.
• Three letters of recommendation: one from an English department faculty member, one from an education faculty member (a methods instructor, if available), and one from outside the college or university, e.g., a former employer, and an English teacher who previously taught the student below the college level.
• Transcript of courses to verify GPA and upcoming students teaching.
• The committee will review applicants and select the winner on the basis of need, quality of recommendations, and the writing proficiency of the candidates.
• Names of recipient(s) will be presented to the Executive Board for approval by email by September 15. The President will notify the recipient(s) of the award immediately.
• More than one scholarship may be awarded with the approval of the Board (2-24-84).

Richard A. Meade Student Teaching Scholarship

Eligibility Criteria:

• The applicant must be pursuing a degree program from a Virginia college or university that includes professional certification from a Virginia-approved program in teaching English and be scheduled to student teach during the designated year (6-5-04).
• The applicant must have a minimum 3.2 GPA (on a 4-point scale). An official transcript of all college work must be submitted with the application.

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Recognition:

• The amount of the scholarship will be $500 as of July, 2018. It was $1000 (6-5-04).
• The scholarship recipient will be invited to attend the VATE fall conference during the scholarship’s designated year and will be recognized with a certificate during the conference.
• The winner will receive a certificate.
• The conference registration will be waived for the recipient(s).
• Membership for the year will be included with the registration.
• Lodging will be supported by VATE.
• The scholarship recipient will also be invited to attend and present at the Fall Conference the following year.

Mary T. Davis Diversity Award

Purpose: To encourage ELA teacher candidates from diverse backgrounds to attend the Fall Conference by awarding one teacher in training a registration scholarship.

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Rationale: The VATE board approved the naming of the Diversity award officially as the Mary T. Davis Diversity Award. Mary has shown a long time commitment to VATE and a specific interest in the inclusion of all groups and their interests in the organization. Mary, having taught at the middle, high and college level, has a keen awareness of the need to give voice and recognition to those often underrepresented. Mary started her work with the board in 1987 and has served continuously to this date. During this time, she has presented to the board the guidelines for the creation of the Heritage Award and the board position of multicultural liaison which she presently holds as well as the development and implementation of the VATE talent bank. Mary has documented the activities of VATE in the area of multiculturalism thusly garnering VATE several Multicultural Awards from NCTE. It is in recognition of this commitment to the organization and passion for the cause that we offer the Mary T. Davis Diversity Award.

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Deadline: Sept. 1

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Chair: College Member at Large

Mary T. Davis Diversity Award

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Procedures:

• Candidates must be a member of VATE. (Contact affiliate president or faculty advisor for details on obtaining membership at student rates.)
• Provide the following information and materials:
1. a résumé containing name of VATE affiliate and university address
2. a 100 – 500 word statement from the candidate on what he/she will contribute in the classroom
3. two professional recommendations (including one from candidate’s advisor) regarding the candidate’s potential as a teacher.

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Recognition:

• The recipient will be recognized at the fall conference - select statements from winning candidate’s letters of recommendation may be read aloud
• The recipient will receive a certificate.
• The conference registration will be paid for the recipient.
• Membership for the year will be included with the registration.
• The recipient will be invited to attend and present at the fall conference the following year.

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VATE Board Member Awards

Chuck Miller VATE Service Award

Purpose: to applaud its members who are making significant contributions to VATE/local affiliate, instruction, co-curricular groups, and other professional organizations. Nominees must qualify with contributions that are NOT a part of their job assignments.

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Rationale: Charles “Chuck” Miller has served as a member of the Virginia Association of Teachers of English Executive Board for 29 years from 1988-2017. Over the course of that tenure, he has fulfilled many significant roles within the organization, including those of President and Executive Secretary. Chuck has supported numerous conference coordinators over his 14-year tenure as Executive Secretary and served as local arrangements chair for the NCTE annual convention. Hereby be it resolved by the VATE Executive Board in business session on Saturday, January 28, 2017 that Charles Miller be recognized and honored for his service to VATE and to English/Language Arts teachers throughout the Commonwealth.

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Deadline: Sept. 1

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Chair: President

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Chuck Miller VATE Service Award

Procedures:

• Nominations and supporting documents will be submitted to the award chair.
• The award chair will head the committee consisting of the executive board members.
• A nominee for the Chuck Miller VATE Service Award must submit to the award chair:
• documentation for at least three significant contributions to the organization (from section A),
• documentation for at least three professional achievements (from section B),
• two letters of endorsement of achievements from appropriate officials such as a supervisor, principal, department head, or local affiliate President.
• The nominee must be a current member of VATE.
• The nominator cannot nominate himself/herself.
• The winner will be notified by the award chair before the annual conference.

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Recognition:

• The award winner(s) will receive a plaque and recognition at the conference.

Chuck Miller VATE Service Award

Submission Criteria(2-11-89)

Section A: A nominee for the Chuck Miller VATE Service Award must be a current member of VATE who has served the organization in some significant way within the three years prior to and including the year of nomination. A nominee must accomplish three of the following:

• Held an office in the local affiliate or VATE.
• Planned a local affiliate or VATE Conference.
• Served as program, registration, or general local arrangements chair for local affiliate or VATE Conference.
• Served on a committee for the local affiliate or VATE.
• Attended VATE Executive Board meetings to represent the affiliate.
• Represented the local affiliate or VATE at a school system, PTA, or school board meeting.
• Written a column for the local affiliate's newsletter or VATE Voices or the VIRGINIA ENGLISH JOURNAL.
• Organized local affiliate meeting(s).
• Increased membership in the local affiliate.
• Attended over 50% of the local affiliate meetings within the past (give number) years.
• Attended the VATE Fall Conference.
• Served as Chair/Recorder for a session at the VATE Fall Conference.
• Presented at VATE Fall Conference.

Chuck Miller VATE Service Award

Section B: A nominee for the Chuck Miller VATE Service Award must have accomplished at least three of the following within the three years prior to and including the year of the nomination.

• Developed English curriculum guides/units for division-wide use.
• Developed a pilot program for the school or school system.
• Chaired a self-study committee or served as a member of the self-study steering committee;
• Chaired a division-wide curriculum development committee.
• Organized a division, district, regional, or state meet in forensics, debate, drama, spelling, or other meaningful extracurricular activity
• Sponsored a radio show, TV show, literary magazine, newspaper, yearbook, drama group, forensics team, debate team, spelling bee winner, or academic competition.
• Presented formally at a workshop, in-service, or conference other than the VATE Fall Conference.
• Wrote an article, poem, or short story which was published in a local, state, or national professional journal or newsletter, excluding a VATE publication.
• Served as an editor, guest editor or member of the editorial board of a professional journal or newsletter, excluding a VATE publication.
• Held an office in a national English or language arts association.
• Served as registration or general local arrangements chair for a regional or national conference other than VATE.
• Earned an advanced degree which supports the education field.
• Other significant contribution in any category for judges to consider. (Please list and explain briefly.)

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Frances N. Wimer Award

Purpose: The Frances N. Wimer Award honors professionals who exemplify the extensive, ongoing service that Frances Wimer gave to VATE and to the profession.

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Rationale: In reviewing the history of VATE that recounts the activities of professionals who dedicated their lives to English language arts in Virginia, no person stands out like Frances N. Wimer. During her career as a teacher and as Supervisor of Gifted and Talented for the City of Richmond, Frances Wimer exemplified the ideals of unselfish service to VATE. As President of VATE during 1964-65, Ms. Wimer established the first VATE Conference for supervisors, the meeting that eventually led to the annual VATE Fall Conference. In 1966, Ms. Wimer became editor of the VIRGINIA ENGLISH BULLETIN (name changed to Virginia English Journal in 2012) and continued in that post for ten years. As editor of our organization's professional publication, Ms. Wimer expanded the BULLETIN into a scholarly publication focusing on matters of interest to teachers at all levels of education. As teacher, supervisor, VATE President, and editor of the VIRGINIA ENGLISH BULLETIN, Frances Wimer committed herself to serving the students and teachers of English in Virginia. In recognition of her tireless work of nearly two decades with VATE, it is appropriate that her colleagues recognize Ms. Wimer's countless contributions to our organization.

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Deadline: Sept. 1

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Chair: Past President

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Frances N. Wimer Award

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Procedures: (8-12-89), (2018)

• The selection committee will be chaired by the immediate Past President with two executive board members of his or her choice.
• A call for nominations will be announced annually via a regular VATE publication for members such as VATE Voices or any other newsletter currently in use by the executive board.
• Nomination materials should consist of a letter of nomination (no self-nominations), and no more than five (5) letters of support. Nominees can come from any level of teaching or involvement with English language arts (K-12 classroom teachers, central office personnel, administrators, and college level).
• The major component for evaluation of nominee is service, with approximately 50 percent representing exemplary on-going service to VATE and approximately 50 percent representing exemplary on-going service to the profession.
• Nominations will be retained by the selection committee for three years; however, the chair should notify the nominator to provide the opportunity to submit updated materials. This will be necessary if there are multiple submissions or the committee does not feel that the submission should be given the award based on presented documentation.
• The award need not be given each year.

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Recognition:

• The award will be given at the fall conference.
• The winner will receive a certificate.
• Conference registration will be paid for by VATE.

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