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 who 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.

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 239 recognized as honorees of this prestigious award.

Any high school (9-12th grade) or elementary school teacher from a Texas public school who meets all of the following requirements is eligible for this award:

Nominee eligibility:

• Nominee need not have attended the University of Texas
• Nominee must be full-time elementary or high school teacher (grades 9-12)
• Nominee should have a minimum of eight years of classroom teaching experience and should be returning the following year.
• Nominations are encouraged for all subject areas, school sizes, and geographic areas of Texas
• If nominee is chosen, he or she must be present to win

Ten high school teachers (9-12th grade) 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 only one teacher from his/her school.

Nomination packets are mailed out mid-August and nominations must be submitted by the postmark deadline of October 15, 2008.

High School Principals - Download the nomination form

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 

Every nominee is a winner and receives a distinctive certificate along with local recognition.

The twelve teacher honorees receive:

• Statewide and local recognition
• $2,250 cash prize
• a specially commissioned bronze sculpture
• an awards banquet hosted by The University of Texas president, and
• an annual invitation to attend an all-expenses paid two-day (February 19-20, 2009)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 20, 2009 hosted by The University of Texas president on the UT at Austin campus.  The teacher honoree must be present to win.

Following the nomination deadline of October 15, 2008 all nominees receive a certificate and local recognition.

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 early December.

The 2009 Awards Presentation will be held Friday, February 20, on The University of Texas campus, culminating the Conference on Texas Excellence in Education (February 19-20).  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.

• 2008 winners
• previous year winners by city
• previous year winners by year
• previous year winners by school
• previous year winners by subject area
• previous year winners by name
• previous year winners by district

Attendance is by invitation only to the new and former honorees of the award. Invitations will be sent via email and mail in early January.

• Mid-August, nomination packets to high school principals and Regional Service Center Executive Directors

• October 15, 2008 postmark deadline for High School Principals and Regional Service Center Executive Directors to have his/her nomination packet to The Texas Exes

• December 4, 2008 - Texas Exes for OutstandingHigh School Teachers Final Selection Committee meets. announcements will follow to all principals who submitted nominations and on the Texas Exes.org website

• December 11, 2008 – Texas Exes for Elementary School Teachers Final Selection Committee meets.

• Announcements will be posted on the www.TexasExes.org website of winners by the first of the New Year

• January 6,  2009 – invitation and registration packets  mailed out to new and former teacher honorees to attend Conference on Texas Excellence in Education and Texas Exes Awards for Outstanding Teachers

• January 31, 2009 – registration deadline for Conference on Texas Excellence in Education

• February 19-20, 2009 – Conference on Texas Excellence in Teaching By invitation only

• February 20, 2009 –  Texas Exes for Outstanding Teachers Awards Dinner - by invitation of the President’s office only