Eligibility
Teachers do not have to be TNCCS members to be nominated, but it is requested that they join should they win an award. A K-6 teacher must conduct a continuous social studies instructional program to be eligible while a 7-12 teacher must teach social studies at least 60 percent of the day.

Criteria for Selection
Selection will be based on excellence in the areas of classroom instruction, curriculum development, leadership in the teaching profession, and community involvement. The nomination process is purposely aligned with those of the National Council for the Social Studies. Teachers that are selected for Outstanding Social Studies Teachers in Tennessee can, if they choose, submit an application for the National Social Studies Teacher of the Year Awards. We believe that our Tennessee Teachers are some of the best in the nation and hope to showcase their work on a national level.

Awards Presentation
A luncheon will be held to honor and present awards to the outstanding social studies teachers during the TNCSS State Conference
State Social Studies Conference
Friday, 9 March 2007
Hilton Hotel
939 Ridge Lake Boulevard,
Memphis, Tennessee, United States, TN, 38120

Deadline for Nominations
If you have any questions, please contact Karon LeCompte, by email at karon.n.lecompte@vanderbilt.edu. All nominations postmarked by February 5, 2007 will be considered. Mail nominations to:

Dr. Karon N. LeCompte
Department of Teaching and Learning
Peabody College of
Vanderbilt University
Peabody #330
230 Appleton Place
Nashville. TN 37203

NOMINATION FORM (self nominations accepted)
(Duplicate as Needed)

School System _________________________________________________________________________

Supervisor’s Signature ________________________________________________________

Teacher’s Name ________________________________________________________________________

Level: K-6_ 7-12_ Grade(s)/ Subject(s) Taught __________________________________________

School _______________________________________________________________________________

Home Address _________________________________________________________________________

City/Zip Code ______________________________ Home Phone No. _____________________________
Email address ______________________________________________________


Nomination Requirements:

* Cover Page –
* Letter of nomination (needed only if someone is nominating you for the award, you are encouraged to nominate yourself!).
* Letter(s) of Support. Letter(s) and/or from your immediate supervisor with performance responsibility.
* Vita or Professional Resume prepared by the nominee (listing degrees conferred by U.S. accredited institutions only, educational experience, community service, leadership, etc).
* Current Teaching Assignment. Description of nominee's current teaching assignment (to verify eligibility).
* Applicant Narrative describing how he/she meets all criteria areas listed below (not to exceed five (5) one-sided double-spaced 8-1/2 x 11 pages).
1. Develop or use instructional materials creatively and effectively.
2. Incorporate innovative and verified effective instructional strategies and techniques.
3. Utilize new scholarship from history, the social sciences, or other appropriate fields.
4. Utilize the ten interrelated themes identified in NCSS curriculum standards: culture; time, continuity, and change; people, places, and environment; individual development and identity; individuals, groups, and institutions; power, authority, and governance; production, distribution, and consumption; science, technology, and society; global connections; and civic ideals and practices.
5. Demonstrated ability to foster a spirit of inquiry and the development of skills related to acquiring, organizing, processing, and using information and making decisions related to both domestic and international matters.
6. Demonstrated ability to foster the development of democratic beliefs and values, and the skills needed for citizen participation appropriate to students' grade level in classroom, school, and community settings.
7. Evidence of professional involvement in activities such as workshops, curriculum development, committees, and other association activities, etc.
* Supporting Documentation. Up to ten one-sided pages of documentation that supports the Applicant Narrative. Evidence might include clear reproductions of newspaper articles, student work samples, video documentation, photographs, teaching evaluations, and letters of support.

Outstanding Teacher of the Year Awards 2005-2006

Terry Sams samst@k12tn.net Tamra Newby newbyt@k12tn.net Helen DenUyl denuylh@loudoncounty.org Sherri Collie scylecollie@yahoo.com Patsy Brooks Pbrooks@k12k.com Christian Sawyer christian.sawyer@mnps.org 2005-2006 Tennessee Geography Alliance Award Winners 2005 Charlie McRorie / Siesta Software Solutions Geography Lesson Plan of the Year- Julie Mitchell, Lake Forest Middle School, Cleveland, TN. 2006 Lottie and Alden Beverly Geography Teacher of the Year Award - Lori Langlois, Keenburg Elementary School, Elizabeth, TN. 2006 Tom and Stella Mullane, Geography Teacher of the Year Award - Cynthia Dabalos, Richview Middle School Clarksville, TN.