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 2014 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 while selecting state honorees. In honor of the 15th anniversary of the program, the 2013 honorees will receive a crystal apple and an unrestricted $15,000 gift at the 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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Congratulations to the 2012 Honorees! View the honorees. Download the Press Release.
2012 Awards Brunch
Past WEM Honorees
February 11, 2013
Nomination Deadline
March 4, 2013
Application Deadline
March 11, 2013
Pre-screening process begins
April 5, 2013
Blue Ribbon Panel convenes
May 2013
State honorees announced
June 2013
Semi-finalist Honorees announced
October 2013
WEM Awards Brunch
2014 Awards Program Dates
December 16, 2013
Nomination Deadline
January 27, 2014
Application Deadline
February 3, 2014
Pre-Screen Panel Begins
February 28, 2014
Blue Ribbon Panel
March/April 2014
State Honorees Announced
April 2014
Semi-Finalists Announced
May/June
WEM Awards Brunch