2016-2017 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
Program Overview
The Teacher of the Year is an exemplary teacher who will serve as a liaison to the Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education and as an ambassador to other teachers in the state.
The Teacher of the Year must also demonstrate:
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A proven track record of meeting students’ needs in order to further student growth and achievement.
Instructional leadership in his/her classroom in addition to being a respected member of and contributor
to the larger school and district community.
Respect for and nuanced understanding of the different perspectives that contribute to high quality
education--including those of colleagues, administration, parents, students, and policymakers.
Opportunities for the Teacher of the Year:
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The Teacher of the Year (TOY) will have the opportunity to serve as an ambassador for the teaching
profession, which will include public speaking and writing opportunities. This is a chance for the TOY to
share ideas and to learn from others; it is not the expectation that the TOY speaks on behalf of all
teachers. Rather, the TOY should reflect an understanding for the various perspectives that exists among
teachers. The TOY maintains full time teaching responsibilities.
Contingent upon the National program, along with the other states’ teachers of the year, the MA TOY
attends a 5-day National Teacher of the Year Conference, travels to Washington, DC for a week to
participate in numerous recognition activities and meets the President, spends a week at Space Camp in
Huntsville, Alabama, and after the TOYs official year ends, attends a “Next Steps” Conference in
Princeton, NJ.
The Massachusetts TOY becomes the state's candidate for the National Teacher of the Year Program. The
National Teacher of the Year spends a year out of the classroom traveling across, and out of, the country.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible, teachers/co-teachers must:
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Have completed at least four years of teaching experience;
Spend the majority of the school day in direct instruction of students;
Possess an active and valid Massachusetts teaching license for the subject and grade level taught;
Teach in a public school or Department approved adult learning center; and
Be a full-time teacher.
NOTE: Co-teachers must teach in the same classroom at the same time and be responsible for the same
students. Please see “General Application Instructions” in the attached document which explains how to
submit an application for co-teachers.
2016-2017 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
Instructions: Please read the explanation of the application process below, including a timeline and details regarding
submission requirements for the Round 1 application. For more information, please visit the Teacher of the Year
webpage.
Teacher of the Year Application Process
Round 1 – Preliminary Application (due Friday, February 5, 2016)
 Candidate information, four essays, principal’s letter of support, photograph
 Semi-finalists will be selected and notified by February 25, 2016.
Round 2 – Semi-Finalist Application (due March 10, 2016)
 Written task and submission of contact information for three references
 Selected applicants will be notified by March 22, 2016.
Round 3 – Classroom Observations (March 24 – April 6, 2016)
 A team from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) will conduct classroom observations
for selected applicants.
 Selected applicants will be invited to interview at ESE in Malden, and will be notified by April 7.
Round 4 – Final Interviews (April 13 & 14, 2016)
 Interviews with an independent selection committee will be held at the Department in Malden on Wednesday,
April 13.
 The recommended candidate will have interviews with the Associate Commissioner of Educator Effectiveness
and the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Round 1 Application: Due February 5, 2016
Overview and Instructions
Section of the Application
Candidate Information
Professional Resumé
Application Essay Questions
Photograph (recent color head and shoulder
photograph suitable for publicity purposes)
Principal’s Letter of Support
Submission Instructions
Complete the information online through SurveyGizmo
Attach your current resumé through SurveyGizmo
Attach the essays through SurveyGizmo
Attach through SurveyGizmo
Your current principal should use the Principal Form on the next page to
complete this step (Although your Principal will submit this separately, this
must be submitted by the deadline for your application to be considered).
General Application Instructions
 Review the application process and eligibility requirements prior to submitting an application.
 Observe instructions throughout, including word limits.
 Unless otherwise noted, the application must be completed online (Word/PDF documents, as applicable)
 For co-teacher applications, each teacher needs to submit an individual candidate information form, resumé,
and photograph, but may collaborate and submit one copy for each of the essays. The principal only needs to
submit one form and one letter for co-teachers.
Please be aware that the material you submit will be the only information upon which this part of the application will be judged. Please do not
submit additional materials.
2016-2017 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
Instructions: Please answer the following four application essay questions and attach your answers to
SurveyGizmo prior to submitting your application. Please adhere to the word count maximums.
Application Essay Questions
1.
Professional Biography – (maximum: 500 words)
A. Tell us the story of why you teach (in your particular subject/grade level/location) and who you are as
a teacher.
2.
Impact as an Educator – (maximum: 1,200 words)
A. Explain the impact your teaching has made in supporting student learning, growth, and achievement
(please focus on a class or group of students, as opposed to one student). Include data to support
your response.
B. How do you incorporate student feedback into your teaching?
C. How have you displayed leadership within your school, district and beyond?
3.
Goals – (maximum: 300 words)
A. What are your professional goals/aspirations? Include specific goals you will focus on and achieve in
the next 3-5 years.
4.
Education Issues – (maximum: 500 words)
A. Describe an education issue that’s important to you. Address causes, effects, and the impact on
students, as well as how teachers can play a role in addressing and solving this issue.
Do not submit until you have attached your resumé, essays, and photograph.
Please be sure to give your principal the following form which needs to be submitted separately, but by
February 5, 2016.
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4906
Telephone: (781) 338-3000
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
2017 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
Instructions for the Candidate: Please provide this form to your current Principal. The completed form
and accompanying letter of support must be received by February 5, 2016, in order for your application
to be considered.
Instructions for the Principal:
 Please complete this form and write a letter of support (on school letterhead and no longer than
2 pages) for the teacher nominated for Teacher of the Year.
 Mail the form and letter of support in a sealed envelope with your signature across the seal.
 Both documents must arrive at the Department by February 5, 2016. Mail to:
Teacher of the Year Program
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Attn: Deborah Walker
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148
Please note:
 The letter should provide evidence of the teacher’s effectiveness and leadership in the school,
district and beyond.
 All information included in the form and accompanying letter will be confidential.
Information about the Nominated Teacher:
Compared to other teachers you have encountered in your professional career, please indicate how you
would rate the Teacher of the Year applicant in the following areas:
Top 5%
Teaching practice
Leadership skills in the school/district
Raising student achievement
Communication skills with students and parents
Involving families and community in the classroom
Solutions driven
Collaboration with colleagues
Do you feel confident recommending this educator to be Teacher of the Year?
Yes
No
Comments (Optional):
Top 10%
Top 25%