Presented by Committee for Children
2024 Second Step® Educator of the Year Awards
Celebrating Excellence in SEL
Every day, educators across the country use Second Step® social-emotional learning (SEL) programs to build safe, supportive environments where their students and colleagues can thrive.
We are excited to celebrate five extraordinary Second Step educators for their remarkable achievements in their classroom, in their school, or throughout their district. By amplifying their inspiring stories, their unique identities, and the diverse communities they serve, we hope others can learn from their experiences.
Awards
Five winners will each receive:
- A $500 honorarium to support their work
- Special recognition during our Second Step Educator Showcase event
- An invitation to join our Second Step Champion community
Submit Your Nomination by September 15, 2024
Are you using Second Step programs to make a meaningful difference in your school community? Or do you know another educator who’s using the programs to create effective, innovative opportunities for SEL? Use this entry form to nominate yourself of a colleague for a Second Step Educator of the Year Award.
Limit 3 nominations per person.
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Judging Criteria
All nominations will be judged by a panel of Committee for Children staff. To make the process as objective as possible, the panel will receive inter-rater reliability training, and nominations will be made anonymous before they are considered.
Impact
There is qualitative or quantitative evidence that the nominee’s use of Second Step programs has had a positive effect on students’ SEL, classroom culture, school climate, or staff well-being.
Innovation
The nominee demonstrates the ability to ensure there are strategies in place for systemic implementation to thrive. Where strategies do not yet exist, the nominee has advocated for or created solutions to address these gaps so all levels of the system are supported.
Generalization
The nominee actively integrates SEL into their work with students or colleagues outside of Second Step lesson time.
Learner-Centered Approach
The nominee demonstrates an ability to build a more equitable classroom or school community by incorporating equity components—including explicit attention to the culture, history, values, assets, and needs of the community—into SEL principles, strategies, frameworks, and implementation tools.
2024 Award Timeline
- August 15: Nominations open
- September 15: Nominations close
- Week of September 23: Finalists notified
- November 7: Winners announced at Second Step Educator Showcase event
Eligibility Requirements
Nominees must be currently employed educators working in a school or district that uses one or more Second Step social-emotional learning programs (teachers, counselors, principals, social workers, paraeducators, SEL coaches, and support staff are all eligible for the awards).
Nominees must live and work in the United States.
Nominees must be over the age of 18.