Educator Recognition Programs

We know how hard MTA member-educators work to make a difference in the lives of their students. That’s why we want to call attention to the various educator recognition programs hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Each year, DESE uses these programs to honor exemplary Massachusetts public school educators – and provide opportunities for educators to give feedback on education initiatives.

Massachusetts Teacher of the Year

• Open to public school educators in every grade level and subject.
• Learn about current and past Teachers of the Year.  
• Program information is available at DESE's website.

History Teacher of the Year Program

• Open to K-12 teachers with at least three years of classroom experience.
• Learn more at DESE's website.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

• Open to all K-12 math and science teachers. (The competition alternates year by year between teachers of grades K-6 and teachers of grades 7-12.)
• Additional information and applications available on the DESE website.

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

• The National Board is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that operates a national, voluntary system to assess and certify teachers who meet high and rigorous standards of accomplished teaching. Teachers who achieve certification have demonstrated the ability, in a variety of settings, to make sound professional judgments about students' best interests and to act effectively on those judgments. The certification process has four components that require a great deal of time and energy on the part of the candidate. The components include three portfolio entries and a computer-based assessment.
• Learn more about National Board certification.