Okla Educator of the year

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Okla Educator of the year

		2009 Oklahoma Early Childhood Educator of the Year Information and Application Overview The Oklahoma Early Childhood Educator of the Year is a joint project of Smart Start Oklahoma’s Foundation and the Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma. The program is an effort to recognize early childhood educators in birth through grade three settings who are skillful, dedicated, and passionate teachers. Smart Start Oklahoma’s Foundation established the Oklahoma Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award to recognize and reward best practices in early childhood education. The winner is announced each year at the Annual Early Childhood Conference in Oklahoma. Qualifications Professionals teaching in infant, toddler, preschool, or public school programs through third grade are eligible for nomination. Applicants must have administrator recommendation and complete portfolio requirements. No minimum years of experience or minimum degree/credential levels are necessary to apply for the Oklahoma Early Childhood Educator of the Year award. Applicants should be skillful and dedicated, should have a strong knowledge base of early childhood, and should communicate effectively with families, peers, and community partners. Selection Process Applicants must submit a completed portfolio, including the data sheet, three essay responses, three recommendations (one being an endorsement from their administrator), and a photograph. Incomplete applications will not be judged. Additional materials will not be accepted or judged. All applications will be reviewed by a state committee of business and civic leaders, Early Childhood Administrators, and Early Childhood Educators. Finalists will be notified by phone the second week of September. Finalists may be asked to complete an interview during the month of September with an interview panel of state leaders. Recognition The winner will be announced at the 2009 Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma Conference on Saturday, September 26^th during the awards luncheon. Finalists will receive conference scholarships to attend the annual conference scheduled for September 24, 25, and 26. Sponsors Smart Start Oklahoma Foundation (OPSRF) Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma Oklahoma Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators Awards $1000 Cash Award – Teacher Conference Scholarship Various Gifts Portfolio Requirements *Letter of Recommendation* from administrator—form enclosed. Page 1. *Basic Data Sheet—form enclosed. Pages 2 and 3. Essay 1—Professional Biography. Why did you choose the field of early childhood education? What makes you stay in the field? What dreams do you have for your career and for the field of early childhood? Limit of 2 pages, double spaced, 12 point font, and 1 inch margins. Pages 4 and 5. Essay 2—Philosophy of Teaching. What makes a great early childhood learning environment? How do you know when your children are learning and growing? If someone were to walk in your classroom, what would they see? Limit of 2 pages, double spaced, 12 point font, and 1 inch margins. Pages 6 and 7. Essay 3—Early Childhood Issue. What do you consider to be a major issue in early childhood education right now? Address one in depth and provide possible solutions. Limit of 2 pages, double spaced, 12 point font, and 1 inch margins. Pages 8 and 9. Letters of Recommendations* (2—no more than 4) from professional colleagues, families, business leaders, or former students. Limit to 1 page per letter. Pages 10 and 11 (or - and 12 and 13). *Photograph—no larger than 5x7 affixed to the page enclosed. Please write name on back of your photo in the event it detaches from the page. Page 12 or Page 14 if additional recommendations are included. Directions for Portfolio Submission* Portfolios must be received by Friday, September 4, 2009. Place all of the items 1-7 listed above, stapled, in a manila mailing envelope. It is not necessary to bind materials in a binder or cover. Items will be copied for the state selection committee. Additional items should not be included and will not be reviewed by the selection committee. Mail or hand deliver one original portfolio to: Smart Start Oklahoma Foundation (OPSRF) Early Childhood Educator of the Year Program 421 Northwest 13^th Street, Suite 270 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73103 Direct Questions to: Susan Illgen, Executive Director 405-278-6978 susan.illgen@smartstartok.org

		2009 Early Childhood Educator of the Year Administrator Recommendation I, ________________________________________, administrator (or site director) of Name _________________________________________ endorses the application of Place or Site location _________________________________________ as the *2009 Early Childhood Educator of* Applicant *The Year* as an employee in good standing, dedicated, passionate, and highly skilled in teaching young children. I understand that if the applicant is chosen to be a finalist, he or she will attend interview sessions with a selection committee held in Oklahoma City during the month of September, that information about the applicant and our program may be shared with media outlets, and that finalists will be expected to attend the Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma Conference held September 24^th, 25^th and 26^th, 2009 in Oklahoma City as a scholarship recipient. If the applicant is chosen, please notify the following media outlets for announcement of this award: ______________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Administrator or Site Director ________________________________________________ Date 2009 Oklahoma Early Childhood Educator of the Year Basic Data Sheet Applicant Name: ________________________________________________________________ Home Phone Number: ___________________________________________________________ Cell Phone Number: _____________________________________________________________ Home Address (include city, and zip code): ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ E-Mail Address: _________________________________________________________________ Educational Preparation (include any training, credentials, licensures, or degrees earned, dates of completion, and names of institutions): ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Awards or Recognitions: ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

		Center or School Name: __________________________________________________________ Administrator Name: _____________________________________________________________ Address of Center/School: ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Phone Number of Center/School: ___________________________________________________ Age or Grade Level Taught: _______________________________________________________ Specialty Area Taught (if applicable): ________________________________________________ Years in Present Position: _________________________________________________________ Total Years Experience teaching young children: _______________________________________ I hereby give permission any or all of the materials in this portfolio may be shared with individuals interested in promoting the 2009 Oklahoma Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award (except address, phone, and other personal contact information). _____________________________________________ Applicant Signature Essay #1 - *Professional Biography* Why did you choose the field of early childhood education? What makes you stay in the field? What dreams do you have for your career and for the field of early childhood? Limit of 2 pages, double spaced, 12 point font, and 1 inch margins. Page 2 Essay #1 Essay 2—*Philosophy of Teaching* What makes an effective early childhood learning environment? How do you know when your children are learning and growing? If someone were to walk in your classroom, what would they see? Limit of 2 pages, double spaced, 12 point font, and 1 inch margins. Page 2 Essay #2 Essay 3—*Early Childhood Issue* What do you consider to be a major issue in early childhood in Oklahoma right now? Address one in depth and provide possible solutions. Limit of 2 pages, double spaced, 12 point font, and 1 inch margins. Page 2 Essay #3 5x7 Photograph -- affix to this page

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