Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
For students, learning their ABC’s can be fun or it can be a miserable task. Many teachers take on the challenge to make sure their students view it as a fun and challenging opportunity.
The local VFW Post #4491 joins their National VFW to support local teachers by recognizing them with distinguished Teacher of the Year Awards.
The VFW Teacher of the Year Award Contest “recognizes three exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students.”
Each year, a certified/licensed elementary, junior high and high school teacher whose curriculum focuses on citizenship education topics can be nominated for the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award.
The VFW is now accepting nominations for each school including, McCleary Elementary and Craig County Middle and High School.
In 2018, Susan Wilcher was selected as the Elementary Teacher of the Year, and was presented a framed certificate by Post Commander Billy Lee.
The finale national winners receive:
•A $1,000 award for professional development expenses.
•A $1,000 award for his/her school.
•Two award plaques: one for the teacher, the other for his/her school.
•An all-expenses-paid trip to attend a VFW conference to receive their award.
The VFW states that teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism are prime candidates for the award. “If you know a teacher who plans field trips to city hall, organizes community volunteer projects or invites local veterans to speak in class, anything to help students develop a better understanding of democratic values and beliefs, this award is for them,” states its website.
Guidelines to enter are as follows:
Step 1: In 350 words or less, describe why you feel your nominee is deserving of the award. Be sure to describe the teacher’s innovative teaching and resource development methods, as well as his or her dedication to education.
Step 2: Download and complete the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award nomination form.
Step 3: Submit the nomination form along with your explanation to your local VFW Post by Oct. 31.
Note: Nominations can be submitted by themselves, fellow teachers, supervisors, family members or other interested individuals.
Then, based on the nominees submitted, VFW’s local chapters, Post #4491 in Craig County, will recognize one outstanding teacher in grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12, and submit their winning names and required documents to their district-level judging.
From there, the selected winners and required documents are forwarded to the state-level. Once they are judged, the winners are passed along to VFW National Headquarters for consideration in the national awards contest.
Anyone wishing to nominate a teacher or obtain additional information may contact Billy Lee at vvusmc4@tds.net or by contacting (540) 864-6169.
The hope is to have several teachers nominated to choose from, honoring the teachers of Craig County that work so tirelessly to provide the best classes for their students.
