Do you know an exceptional educator whose impact deserves to be celebrated? Maybe it’s a colleague you admire—or maybe it’s you. Nominate them (or yourself!) for the John McCormack CEA Award for Teaching Excellence and shine a spotlight on the extraordinary work happening in Connecticut classrooms every day.
This prestigious award honors educators who consistently demonstrate outstanding teaching, professional leadership, and service to the profession. All CEA members with at least three years of teaching experience are eligible to apply.
The application is brief, and the rewards are significant: a $2,000 honorarium from CEA and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala—an unforgettable evening celebrating the nation’s top educators.
The McCormack Award winner also moves forward as CEA’s nominee for the NEA Member Benefits Award, which includes a $25,000 prize, a commemorative plaque, and national recognition. Five finalists each receive $10,000—so your nomination has potential to go far.
The deadline to apply is January 16, 2026.
