Governor’s Teacher Recognition /Educational Services Professionals Program

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Governor’s Teacher Recognition/
Educational Services Professionals Program
2009 GUIDELINES

2009 District Honoree Selection Form (Word | PDF)
2009 Selection Panel Form (Word | PDF)
2009 Certificate Request Form (Word | PDF) - For County Use Only
Guidelines (PDF version of this page)

Background and General Instructions

The Governor’s Teacher Recognition Program was developed in 1985 for the purpose of acknowledging teachers who exhibit outstanding performance. The rationale for this program is based on the premise that teaching excellence is one of the most significant factors impacting student achievement and the quality of public schools. Further, acknowledging excellence encourages teachers to continue to strive towards that goal. For the purpose of this program, teachers are defined as those whose primary responsibility is classroom instruction.

The Governor’s Annual Educational Services Professionals Recognition Act was enacted on January 9, 2004 in recognition of educational services professionals for their contributions to the success of public schools and the important services they provide outside of the classroom environment that improve students’ academic opportunities, workforce preparedness and overall quality of life. The recognition of outstanding educational services professionals is an acknowledgement of efforts and also provides an incentive to others to strive for excellence.

Each school building with at least 10 teachers and/or 10 educational services professionals may have one teacher or one educational services professional to be recognized at the county-wide event. Districts having less than 10 teachers or educational services professionals are encouraged to consolidate with other schools.

In order to ensure the use of common criteria for the selection of teachers and educational services professionals, districts must adhere to use of the following guidelines:

Composition of the Selection Panel

Each public school district in New Jersey is invited to select exceptional teachers and/or educational services professionals from each school through the use of a district selection panel. The district selection panel must include an administrator, a teacher, and a parent/guardian. It should consist of up to nine members:

3 selected by the board of education;
3 selected by the bargaining unit;
If the bargaining unit does not select 3 members, then up to 3 more can be appointed by the Board of Education; and
3 selected jointly by the board and the bargaining unit.

Please complete the attached Selection Panel form to list your panel members. Include only one form per district.

Criteria for Selection of Exceptional Teachers

Teachers must:

Hold an appropriate instructional certificate;
Set high expectations for all students;
Establish a positive classroom climate and rapport with all students;
Develop feelings of self-worth and a love of learning in all students;
Increase student achievement of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards in a student-centered learning environment;
Use a variety of instructional strategies that enable student success ;
Use educational technology effectively in support of learning; and
Contribute to quality professional development in their district.

Criteria for Selection of Exceptional Educational Services Professionals

Educational services professionals must:

Hold an appropriate educational services professional certificate;
Interact positively with students, staff and parents while functioning as a frontline advocate for the student between home and school;
Foster an appropriate environment for learning and explore creative alternatives to enable all students to achieve to their fullest potential;
Interact with students in ways that demonstrate professionalism while retaining respect, humor, compassion and concern for the whole child;
Support student achievement of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards while addressing the educational, social and emotional needs of all students; and
Contribute to quality professional development in their district.

Educational Services Professionals may be classified as one of the following:

Associate School Library Media Specialist
School Athletic Trainer
Director of School Counseling Services
School Counselor
School Library Media Specialist
Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant
Reading Specialist
School Nurse (Instructional and Non-instructional)
School Occupational Therapist
School Physical Therapist
School Psychologist
School Social Worker
Speech-Language Specialist
Substance Awareness Coordinator
Cooperative Education Coordinator/Hazardous Occupations
Cooperative Education Coordinator
County Apprenticeship Coordinator
Educational Interpreter (Sign Language Interpreting, Oral Interpreting, and Cued Speech Transliteration).

Please complete the attached District Honoree Selection Form by listing either one teacher or one educational services professional for each school that has been selected by your district panel.