WEM Outstanding Educator Awards Program
The WEM Outstanding Educator Awards Program was created in 1998 by the WEM Foundation in support of teachers and their important role in helping all students achieve academically and seeks to bring recognition to the often "unsung heroes" who meet the challenges of teaching in a variety of settings. Synergy & Leadership Exchange (Synergy), formerly the Center for Academic Excellence, in partnership with the service cooperative members of The Minnesota Service Cooperatives (MSC), administers the award program on behalf of the WEM Foundation. Educators and administrators from Minnesota public or non-public schools and educational institutions are eligible.
Each year a call for nominations is issued. Parents, students, administrators or colleagues are invited to nominate educators who they believe make a difference in the lives of students. We encourage you to participate in the nomination process for the 2012 program by completing a nomination form now for Teacher Achievement, Academic Challenge Coach or Ethics in Education. You may also download a nomination form, available as a PDF or Word doc and mail or fax it to us.
To nominate someone for the Excllence in Education award, please complete this nomination form. This award follows a different process than the other three awards and is a "lifetime achievement award." It is not presented every year.
The WEM Outstanding Educator Award program honors educators in four areas:
Nominated educators are required to complete an application packet to become eligible for the Teacher Achievement, Ethics in Education and/or Academic Challenge Coach awards. Following review by a preliminary evaluation panel, the applications are evaluated by a Blue Ribbon independent panel of judges representing business and academia. Panelists adhere to specific judging criteria, selecting state honorees, who receive an unrestricted $10,000 gift and crystal apple at an awards brunch in the fall. Regional honorees receive an unrestricted $1,000 gift, trophy and the opportunity to compete in the state competition the following year.
Seven educators from Minnesota were honored October 16, 2010 at the 12th Annual WEM Outstanding Educator Awards Brunch at the Oak Ridge Conference Center in Chaska.
Download the 2010 WEM Honorees Press Release (link to PDF of the post brunch state/regional press release-attached)
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Eight educators from Minnesota were honored Oct. 15, 2011 at the 13th Annual WEM Outstanding Educator Awards Brunch at the Oak Ridge Conference Center in Chaska.
2011 Awards Brunch
Download the 2011 WEM Honorees Press Release
View the 2011 Honorees
Past WEM Honorees