Effective teachers and education leaders are critical to raising student achievement, and today's increasingly competitive and global economy underscores the need for well-qualified educators in every classroom, school, and administrative office.

ASCD is seeking young professional educators who

• Educate the whole child, helping to ensure each child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.
• Demonstrate educational leadership in their school, district, and community.
• Show a positive impact on student achievement.
• Illustrate significant contributions to the education community.

Educators may be nominated in either the Teacher or the Administrator category. Honorees are chosen from a select group of candidates with exemplary applications. Every year, the Outstanding Young Educator Award winner is chosen from among the honorees.

ASCD will recognize each honoree and support opportunities for leadership skill building, professional development, and exchange of ideas among honorees. The OYEA winner and the honorees will form a cadre of exceptional young educators who, throughout the upcoming year, may have opportunities to model, network, and share their best practices with one another and the ASCD community.

Learn more about the program, view frequently asked questions, and nominate a colleague today! Contact us if you have any questions.

Meet the 2009 Outstanding Young Educator Award Recipients

Marc Cohen, principal of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School (MLK) in Germantown, Md., and Bijal Damani, an 11th and 12th grade commerce and business studies teacher in the Galaxy Education System in Rajkot, India, were honored at the March 2009 ASCD Annual Conference & Exhibit Show as recipients of the 2009 ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award.

Almost three years ago, when Marc became principal, MLK’s student performance ranked near the bottom, student misbehavior was common, and achievement gaps were a reality. Marc has helped to dramatically change the school’s climate and the community’s expectations saying, "I believe every student is capable of achieving at very high levels, if only we find a way to provide them with the necessary tools"

Bijal, who decided to teach instead of entering the corporate world because it offered her a chance to shape the future, says she tries to "connect the society around us with the principles of business by engaging students in hands-on activities related to real life experiences." She consistently uses project-based learning experiences with her students to help them understand business concepts while developing skills such as problem solving and creativity.

View the ASCD Press Release.

Bijal and Marc join a cadre of exceptional educators, including:

• Deirdra Grode: "Never before have I felt so honored and appreciated as I have felt over the past months with ASCD."
• Joris Ray: "I used some of my award money to start the Ray of Hope Scholarship Fund."
• Charles Coleman: "The opportunities to facilitate staff development sessions increased after being an OYEA winner."
• Pete Hall: "The exposure provided by the OYEA award has offered me a platform to share and learn effective leadership and instructional methods."
• Jennifer Morrison: "After winning the OYEA award, I kept teaching."
• Patrick Bathras: "Thanks, ASCD, for opening doors and creating opportunities."