The Center on Congress
Indiana University
Outstanding Teacher Award
School Year 2001-2002

Introduction:

The Center on Congress at Indiana University, founded in 1998 and directed by former Congressman Lee Hamilton, is carrying out a wide range of activities aimed at improving public understanding of Congress. The Center's Outstanding Teacher Award will be given annually to Indiana teachers at the middle school or high school level who have made exemplary efforts at teaching about Congress. Up to five $5,000 awards will be given. The awards can be used without restriction by the winning teachers. The award is being underwritten by the Cummins Engine Foundation.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for the Award, Indiana teachers must meet the following criteria:

1. must be a full-time teacher;
2. must have a minimum of three years teaching experience;
3. must be teaching American Government, Civics, American History or a similar subject.

Nominations:

Nominations for this Award are encouraged from a number of sources including, but not limited to:

1. principals;
2. school superintendents;
3. fellow teachers;
4. PTA officials and members;
5. community members;
6. self-nomination.

Application Process:

The application is divided into four sections:

1. completed Award Application form;
2. a statement outlining the innovative, creative, or particularly successful techniques or approaches the applicant has adopted for teaching about Congress;
3. attachments providing evidence of teaching about Congress;
4. three letters of recommendations from colleagues, school administrators, former students, etc.

Award Process Timeline:

November 30, 2001
Nominations due and should be mailed to :
The Center on Congress
Indiana University
SPEA 316
Bloomington, IN 47405
Fax: (812) 856-4703

February 1, 2002
Applications and letters of recommendation are due and should be mailed to the above address. Letters of recommendation should be sent by the person providing the recommendation, not the applicant.

April 19, 2002
Announcement of awards at the Great Lakes Regional Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Teachers from the states of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana will be in attendance.

DOWNLOAD NOMINATION FORM (MS Word format)

DOWNLOAD NOMINATION FORM (PDF format)