VAAEYC recognizes early childhood educators and advocates for their tireless work towards the betterment of all children in the Commonwealth of Virginia. These annual awards are to recognize individuals who have made positive impacts in their programs, communities, or all of Virginia.

All awards will not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, political affiliation, or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.

Annual Award winners receive:

  • A $200 award stipend.
  • Complimentary registration to the VAAEYC Annual Conference in the year of their award.
  • A plaque recognizing their achievement.
  • Recognition in VAAEYC Annual Conference Program, bi-monthly newsletter, VAAEYC website and Facebook page.

Nominations open in October of each year and close December 31. The nominations are presented to the VAAEYC Board for selection at their January Board meeting.

Award winners are notified by February 1.

Nominators are encouraged to submit letters from colleagues, families, and children in order to provide the committee a well-rounded understanding of the unique qualities of each nominee.

VAAEYC Educator of the Year

Honors outstanding service and accomplishments in the delivery of services to children. It is given to an individual who has contributed significantly to the direct care and education of young children.

This award is presented to a child care teacher or staff person who works directly with children and who is an excellent example for other early care and education professionals to follow. Both center-based and home-based educators are eligible.

This award recognizes an educator who impacts children on a daily basis. This includes those who work directly with children in the following settings: licensed on voluntarily registered family child care programs, preschool programs (public or private), child care centers, school-age programs, or Head Start.

  • This person creates and models a cooperative, caring environment;
  • Plans and implements a curriculum to enhance, support and assess development and learning;
  • Establishes relationships with each family to support the success of all children.

Selection & Criteria

  • Must be a VAAEYC member.
  • Has been a teacher/in the classroom for at least three years.
  • Has a commitment to excellence for themselves and the children they care for, striving for professional growth and development.
  • Builds relationships with the children, the families, and peers.
  • Provides for the health and safety of young children.
  • Fosters the positive growth of children in relation to others, themselves, and their environment.
  • Strives to stimulate wonderment, curiosity, and love of learning with innovation and creativity in the classroom.

 

Award of Excellence

Honors outstanding service and accomplishments in the field of Early Childhood Education and Child Care. The award is presented to a member of VAAEYC who has demonstrated a commitment to excellence through the qualities of vision, relationship building and teamwork, leadership, and advocacy.

Selection & Criteria

  • The winner should be a VAAEYC member in good standing for at least five years.
  • Has a proven commitment to excellence and for professional growth.
  • Has demonstrated a vision that supports that all children have the right to a safe, healthy and developmentally stimulating early care and education experience.
  • Has demonstrated a commitment to building relationships and teamwork, striving to meet the needs of families, teachers, and support staff as they serve children from all income levels, abilities, and cultures.
  • Has proven Leadership through contributions to their community and promotes the value of early care and education to the general public as well as advocating that all families have access to stable, affordable, quality early care and education for their children.

This additional criteria may be considered:

  • Served the association through participation in leadership positions on circles/committees, board or task forces.
  • Authored articles for VAAEYC or other child care associations for newsletters, or blogs.
  • Has been a presenter for the VAAEYC Annual Conference.
  • Has participated in VAAEYC Advocacy through the Capitol Steps or NAEYC Public Policy Forum

Outstanding Service to Young Children

This award is given only when warranted and may not be an annual award. The intent of the award is to recognize a member or non-member who has on a large scale influenced others in the community or influenced public policy in the area of early childhood education and child care. This person will have made significant advancements or contributions to the field.

Selection & Criteria

The individual may be nominated by any member, but will be selected by the leadership and will be presented to the Board of Directors for approval. Specifically, this person:

  • Does not need to be a member of VAAEYC.
  • Has served in a leadership positions in government, non-profit organizations, universities and/or community organizations
  • Has championed the interests of child care and early education to the public at large.
  • Has demonstrated their leadership in the child care community with a tangible outcome.
Share this Page