Providence Teacher of the Year - nominate by February 10!

This is cool - PPSD is seeking nominations for the district's teacher of the year, something that hasn't been a district initiative for I don't know how long. Quite a while. Glad to see this happening - not that identifying one great teacher out of many is adequate but it's a step in the right direction.

Here's most of PPSD's press release, which can be found in full here.

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Providence Schools is restoring the practice of selecting a Teacher of the Year for the district, and is asking students, staff, families and the community to submit nominations for teachers who exemplify the best of the profession.

The nominee should possess the following characteristics:

• Be knowledgeable in their content area.
• Be a master at instructional delivery.
• Be able to and demonstrate the ability to inspire students from all backgrounds with multiple
  learning abilities.
• Be respected by their students, parents, peers and colleagues.
• Be active in the community.
• Be articulate in state and national educational issues.
• Be a model representative of their teaching colleagues in the Providence Public Schools.
• Have at least three years of teaching experience.

Nominations must be received by Friday, February 10. Nominees will then be asked to provide the selection committee with their résumé and professional credentials, letters of recommendation, and their answers to a series of open-ended essay questions, giving the selection committee a feel for the individual style and philosophy of each candidate. The winner chosen for Providence will represent the district in the statewide selection of Teacher of the Year, with the winner at that level representing Rhode Island in the national competition.

Those wishing to nominate a teacher are asked to write a letter to the “Teacher of the Year Selection Committee,” describing how the nominee meets the criteria above, and why that candidate stands out among his or her colleagues. Letters should be submitted to Mr. Earnest Cox in the Office of Advanced Academics, Fine Arts & World Languages at the district office, 797 Westminster Street, Providence, or by e-mail at earnest.cox@ppsd.org, with “Teacher of the Year” in the subject line. Questions about the nomination process can be directed to Mr. Cox by e-mail or at (401) 456-9286.