CLASP Teaching Award for Kâ€"12 Educators - Extended Deadline (April 16)

In 2018 the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP) calls for nominations for its fifth annual “CLASP Teaching Award for K–12 Educators.” The award was established to recognize excellence and innovation in the teaching of Latin America and/or the Caribbean among elementary, middle, and high school teachers. CLASP proudly honors teachers who have displayed continued dedication to presenting their students with an engaging and dynamic portrait of Latin America that goes beyond the textbook.

Nominations should come from CLASP member institutions; both faculty and administrators may submit a nomination, although only one nomination may be submitted per institution.

Procedures for Nomination

Please include the following:
1.) A 1–2-page letter from the nominator providing clear and convincing evidence of the following:
a.) Outstanding teaching effectiveness, including teaching methods and student successes stories
b.) Innovation/creativity in the presentation of Latin American content
c.) Involvement in professional development and/or community engagement related to Latin America (i.e., the nominee seeks opportunities to learn about/engage with the region).

2.) Supporting information from the nominees, including:
a.) Résumé
b.) Evidence of how they have integrated Latin American content into their classes, including their approach to the teaching of Latin America and how it has helped students attain the goals of the class (1–2 pages)
c.) One letter of support from a colleague (peer or supervisor) who can attest to the nature of the nominee’s work in the classroom
d.) Other documentation (e.g., excerpts from the lesson, student work, professional development presentation), as appropriate.

Applicants should be advised that their name, email address, and school affiliation may be entered in a CLASP directory of K-12 educators and their curriculum materials incorporated into a CLASP database of K-12 resources. Both the directory and database will be made available to CLASP members with the intention of developing a nationwide network of K-12 educators and resources. The applicants themselves may also be added to a listserv related to this initiative, which would facilitate direct resource sharing and collaboration with their colleagues across the country.

Applications will be reviewed and evaluated for teaching skills, development of innovative teaching materials and strategies, leadership, and professional development accomplishments. Nominations will be accepted through April 16, 2018 (deadline extended).

Please email the nomination materials to Lindsey Engelman, Outreach Committee Chair, at lengelman@austin.utexas.edu.

The winner will be announced during the 2018 LASA conference and will be awarded a $500 cash prize.