Awards > Teaching & Administration > Texas Exes Awards for Outstanding Teachers
The University of Texas at Austin is dedicated to education at all levels and recognizes the work of teachers in communities across the state. Each year, in cooperation with the Texas Exes alumni association and the College of Education, the University recognizes ten Texas high school teachers and two elementary school teachers with the Texas Exes Award for Outstanding Teachers. These educators inspire and support their students, bring credit to the teaching profession, and are held in the highest regard by their current and former students, fellow teachers, administrators, parents, and community.
We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2012 Texas Exes Awards for Outstanding Teachers. Click here for the official list of winners!
We'd also like to recognize the 2012 Rapoport Rising Stars. Click here to meet these accomplished young educators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since 1987, teachers representative of every size Texas school and geographic area, in every subject area, and with degrees from universities all over the country (not limited to University of Texas graduates) have been recognized annually through the Texas Exes Awards for Outstanding Teachers. Over 3,000 have been recognized through nomination, and 275 recognized as honorees of this prestigious award.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Any full-time high school (9-12th grade) or elementary school (K-5th grade) teacher from a Texas public school who meets all of the following requirements is eligible for this award:
Nominee eligibility:
- 9th-12th grade High school teacher nomination must come from the high school principal
- K-5th grade Elementary school teacher nomination must come from the regional service center executive director
- Nominee must have a minimum of eight years of classroom teaching experience and should be returning the following year
- If nominee is chosen, he or she must be present at the Conference on Texas Excellence in Education and Awards Banquet on February 23-24, 2012 to win
Nominations are encouraged from all subject matters, school sizes, geographic locations, and alma-maters. We regularly award Aggies, Baylor Bears, Red Raiders, and more.
Ten high school teachers and two elementary school teachers from Texas public schools state-wide will be selected for this award.
High School
Nomination must come from the high school principal. Each principal may nominate up to three teachers from his/her school.
Principal nominations must be submitted online or by the postmark deadline of September 9, 2011.
Once a teacher has been nominated, the Texas Exes will contact him/her directly to complete the nomination process by the deadline of September 30, 2011.
Elementary School
Nominations for the elementary school teacher must come from the TEA Regional Service Center Executive Director. For a list of the Texas Education Agency (TEA ) Service Center Directors click here: Regional Service Centers
The twelve teacher honorees receive:
- Statewide and local recognition
- $2,250 cash prize
- A specially commissioned sculpture
- An awards banquet hosted by The University of Texas president, and
- an annual invitation to attend an all-expenses paid two-day (February 23-24, 2012) Conference on Texas Excellence in Education. Held on The University of Texas campus, this conference provides opportunities for professional growth and interaction with former award recipients, faculty, future teachers, and leaders in education policy.
The prizes will be presented at an awards banquet on Friday, February 24, 2012 hosted by The University of Texas president on the UT at Austin campus. The teacher honoree must be present to win.
All nominations are reviewed by a blue-ribbon panel including former recipients, education faculty, a future teacher, and alumni leaders. Honorees are selected and announced in December.
The 2012 Texas Exes Awards for Outstanding Teachers presentation will be held Friday, February 24, on The University of Texas campus, culminating the Conference on Texas Excellence in Education (February 23-24). All current and past teacher honorees who are still active in the teaching field are invited to participate in the Conference each year, all expenses paid – at no cost to the school or school district.
Who can attend the Conference on Texas Excellence in Education?
All current and past teacher honorees who are still active in the teaching field are invited to attend the Conference each year with all expenses paid.
- August 2011 - Nomination period begins
- September 9, 2011 - Deadline for high school principals to submit nominations.
- September 30, 2011 - Deadline for high school teacher nominees to submit nomination packet. And deadline for Regional Service Center Executive Directors to submit elementary teacher nomination form.
- December TBD, 2011 - Final Selection Committee meeting for the Texas Exes Awards for Outstanding High School Teachers.
- December 6, 2011 – Final Selection Committee meeting for the Texas Exes Awards for Outstanding Elementary School Teachers.
- Winners will be announced at www.TexasExes.org/teacher by January 1, 2012.
- January 2012 – Registration packets sent to new and former teacher honorees to attend the Conference on Texas Excellence in Education.
- February 2, 2012 – Registration deadline for Conference on Texas Excellence in Education.
- February 23-24, 2012 – Conference on Texas Excellence in Education - by invitation only.
- February 24, 2012 – Texas Exes Awards for Outstanding Teachers Dinner and Presentation - by invitation only.
Questions? Contact Gina Schrader at (512) 471-8082 or schrader@alumni.utexas.edu.
