TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROGRAM

The VFW will recognize and honor the top Elementary (K-5), Junior High (6-8), and High School

(9-12) teacher of the year, who teaches citizenship and education topics, and promotes America’s history, traditions, and institutions.  Attributes considered will be the scope of the teaching on both the students and the community.

2023 Teacher of the Year Winner for Post 4780

Ms. Taylor Johnson (South Gibson Middle School)

- Who can submit - 

Fellow teachers, supervisors, or any other interested individual may submit nominations.  Self-submitted nominations are allowed.  

The nominating individual must submit the nominated teacher’s name on the completed VFW Teacher Nomination Form.  Included with the form a 350 word or less description of why the nominee should be selected.  Describe the teacher’s innovative teaching and resource development methods, as well as his/her dedication to teaching.  Submit these to the local VFW Post no later than October 31.

- Post – 

Post Commander/Chairman will complete the application by ensuring that the following items are included. This is a must list (without all six items, the application will be considered incomplete, and will not be judged).

• Original VFW Teacher Nomination Form
• Description of teacher’s methods/accomplishments (350 words or less)
• National Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Advancement Form
• One-page resume (may use both sides)
• Do Not Exceed five 8 ½ x 11 pages of documentation.   
• Good quality head and shoulder photograph. Wallet size.

NOTE to Post Commanders/Chairmen: The above items must be included exactly as stated or your entry may be returned or even disqualified at the District level.  Only one nominee will be selected from each of the three categories.  Selected applications must be forwarded to District to arrive no later than November 16.

It is the responsibility of the Post and District to input the Teacher of the Year entries into the All-American Dashboard. This is to include all monitory values spent on this event. Failure to do so can cause the Post, District and Department to show a Not Met in this category.

- District - 

District will then judge and select only one nominee in each of the three categories. 

District Commander/Chairman will complete the District portion of the "National Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Advancement" Form.

Selected Post Teacher Entry Forms will be forwarded directly to the Department Chairman. Deadline for receipt of District entries to the Department Chairman is December 16.  Applications must include all of the above items.  Only entries from the District Commander or District Chairman will be accepted at the Department level. District must include National Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Advancement Form. This is to assure that all participating Posts receive credit.

NOTE to District Chairman: It is your responsibility to ensure that Posts have included all six items described above and that they are as specified.  If you do not receive the proper documents from Posts, send them back to the Post for correction. DO NOT pass them on to Department.

It is also your responsibility to ensure the District Teacher of the Year Award Report Form is filled out properly and submitted to Department. If the above requirements are not met it could result in the disqualification of your Districts entry.

It is the responsibility of the Post and District to input the Teacher of the Year entries into the All-American Dashboard. This is to include all monitory values spent on this event. Failure to do so can cause the Post, District and Department to show a Not Met in this category.

- Deadlines – 

Post - Received no later than October 31.

District - Received no later than November 16.

State - Received no later than December 16.

- Awards – 

One winner only in each category (elementary, junior high, high school) will be awarded the following at our Mid-Winter Conference. 

• Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Awards include the items below:
• A national $1,000 Smart/Maher award for each of the top K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 teachers for professional development expenses.
• $1,000 award for each winning teachers’ school.
• Plaques for both the winning teacher and school.
• An all-expense-paid trip to attend the VFW National Convention.