Warren Tracy Beginning Teacher Award

Sponsored by Holt McDougal

2009 Winners

Zachary J. Miller, South Dade Senior High School

Jennifer Strommen, Mater Academy Charter Middle School

Purpose:

Purpose: This award, sponsored by McDougal Littell, is to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of social studies new to the field of education, who engage students in meaningful lessons to increase student awareness, who are involved with school/community activities, and who are leaders on behalf of education. The three finalists will be recognized at the FCSS Annual Conference held each year in October.

Eligibility:

  An applicant must currently be teaching social studies if an elementary teacher, or teaching social studies for the majority of the day if a 6-12 teacher. He/she can have no more than three years experience in the classroom at the time of application. The winner and the finalists must be available to attend both the annual conference and the awards dinner.

Applicants are required to submit by March 30, 2010 a portfolio, which includes the following:

1.. a description of classroom setting, students’ background, year-long goals and rational for those goals.

2. specific lesson/unit plans

3. supporting documentation, such as photographs, newspaper articles, letters of support

4. a list of school, civic, and professional organizations, with a description of the applicant’s involvement in each

5. participation in leadership roles in school

6. the attached application form, completed and placed as the first page of the portfolio

7. verification letter of eligibility.

First Place Award: $250 Cash award for professional development, $250 stipend to support attendance at the FCSS Annual Conference, FCSS membership for one year, publication of lesson plan in Trends and Issues. Winner is expected to attend both the annual conference and the awards dinner.

 Runner’s Up Award: $100 Cash award for professional development, FCSS membership for one year. Finalists are expected to attend both the conference and the awards dinner in order to receive the cash prize.

After applications are received in March, three finalists will be selected. An interview with each finalist will be conducted. A 15 minute videotape/DVD of the finalist and students engaged in social studies education is also required. Due date for completed videotape/DVD is April 15, 2010. 

The visitation will include videotaping a brief interview with the finalist. A 15 minute videotape/DVD of the finalist and students engaged in social studies education is also required. Due date for completed videotape/DVD is May 1 of each year.

For more information please contact:
Tom Glaser
Mater Academy Charter High School
7901 NW 103rd St.
Hialeah, Florida 33016
305-828-1886

E-mail: awards@fcss.org