Americanism: Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award

Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award

Do you know a great teacher? One who educates our young people about the Flag, democracy and civic duty? I hope you do and that you nominate them for the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award.

The deadline for the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award is October 31, 2018 and should be submitted to your local Post.

How Does the Contest Work?

• Based on the nominees submitted, local VFW Posts will recognize one outstanding teacher in grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12.
• Posts then submit these winners names and required documents to their District-level judging, who will forward their winners to the Department (or state) level.
• After judging, each Department then forwards the names of its winners to VFW National Headquarters for consideration in the national awards contest.

Who is eligible?

• All current classroom teachers (teaching at least half of the school day in a classroom environment) in grades K-12 are eligible.
• Previous National VFW winners and homeschool teachers are not eligible.
• Nominations can be submitted by fellow teachers, supervisors or other interested individuals (not relatives).
• Self-nominees are not eligible.

How are teachers nominated?

• In 350 words or less, describe why you feel your nominee should be selected.
• Describe the teacher’s innovative teaching and resource development methods, as well as his or her dedication to education.
• Please submit your completed nomination form and signed essay to your local VFW Post.
• Visit vfw.org/find-a-post for Post locations or call VFW Programs Department at 816-756-3390 ext. 6287 to find the Post nearest to you.

What are the National awards? Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Awards include the items below:

• A national $1,000 Past Commander-in-Chief John Smart award for each of the top K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 teachers for professional development expenses.
• $1,000 award for each winning teacher’s school.
• Plaques for both the winning teacher and school.
• An all-expenses-paid trip to attend the VFW National Convention.
• Top 10 high school teachers invitation to attend a summer Graduate Seminar at Freedoms Foundation in Pennsylvania.

NOTE:  Winners will receive a 1099-MISC as a result of their award and all-expense paid trip.

Before submitting the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award nomination form, please review the rules and eligibility requirements.

Again, the deadline for the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award is October 31, 2018 and should be submitted to your local Post.

S.W.A.P. Corner

“Sharing Wonderful Auxiliary Projects”

North Dakota Department President Wendy Schumacher shared a great S.W.A.P. idea! Wendy has a birthday coming up and she will be giving out as many “Thank You” coins as she is old! Photo ops will occur at as many “Thank You” events as possible – if they allow her to take a picture or if she remembers to take one! Great idea, Wendy!

PLEASE SEND ME YOUR S.W.A.P. “Sharing Wonderful Auxiliary Projects” ideas and I will share them in my promotions and blogs!