Local Teacher Could Be Honored With National VFW Award
NEW HAVEN, CONN. (Aug. 6, 2018) – Commander Derek Torrellas of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. New Haven Post 12150, announced the kick-off of this year’s VFW’s “Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award” contest.
Every year, the VFW recognizes three exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students. The three winning teachers receive $1,000 for their professional development, $1,000 for their school plus an all-expenses-paid trip to the VFW’s National Convention in July.
Teachers of grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 can be nominated by fellow teachers, students, supervisors or other interested individuals. Teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism, and strive to help students develop a better understanding of democratic values and beliefs are prime candidates for the award. Nomination forms are due to your local VFW Post by October 31.
Nominated teachers compete at the local VFW Post level with the winners advancing to District. District winners compete in the state level competition with state first-place winners advancing to the National Competition.
The VFW enacted the Teacher of the Year award contest in 1999 as a way to identify and recognize America’s best educators. The VFW annually recognizes the nation’s top teachers who instill a sense of national pride in students by teaching citizenship education topics regularly and promoting America’s history and traditions effectively.
If you are interested in nominating a teacher for this contest, you should contact the Citizenship Education Chairman at VFW Post 12150 by e-mail the Post at veterans@vfwnewhaven.org for more information.
FOR DETAILS VISIT: www.vfw.org/teacheroftheyear.
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ABOUT THE VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation’s largest and oldest major war veterans’ organization. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With nearly 1.7 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in nearly 6,400 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans’ service organization is proud to proclaim “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our website at www.vfw.org.
