Teacher of the Year
The Texas Council for Exceptional Children’s Teacher of the Year Award honors an outstanding special educator whose instructional practices create effective, inclusive, and individualized learning environments. This award recognizes teachers who engage diverse learners through purposeful, collaborative instruction and meaningful lessons that reflect their beliefs about teaching and positively impact student learning and growth.
Award Details:
The Texas Council for Exceptional Children’s Teacher of the Year Award honors an outstanding special educator whose instructional practices create effective, inclusive, and individualized learning environments. This award recognizes teachers who engage diverse learners through purposeful, collaborative instruction and meaningful lessons that reflect their beliefs about teaching and positively impact student learning and growth.
TX CEC seeks nominations of accomplished professionals who have demonstrated sustained excellence and a deep commitment to the field. Successful nominees will be those with significant career experience in special education, reflecting a well-established professional history and sustained impact on students. This award is intended for those in the later stages of their special education career, recognizing their long-term contributions.
Nominees must currently provide direct services to students with disabilities and/or gifts and talents and hold appropriate professional certification.
Nominees must:
- be a CEC member at the time of nomination and granting of the award*;
- demonstrate CEC’s core values:
- Visionary Thinking: Demonstrated by forward-thinking and courageous decision making dedicated to excellence and influence in an evolving environment
- Integrity: Demonstrated by ethical, responsive behavior, transparency, and accountability
- Inclusiveness: Demonstrated by a commitment to diversity, caring, and respect for the dignity and worth of all individuals
*Membership status can be confirmed by our Membership Services staff at (888) 232-7733 or (703) 620-3660, or at [email protected].
Restrictions:
- Self-nominations are not accepted.
- Posthumous nominations are not accepted.
Nominations are now open. The deadline to submit a nomination is September 30, 2026.