AATSP-GA Annual Award Nomination Guidelines
As you scroll down this page, you will find the guidelines for all of the annual awards offered by AATSP-GA.
Nomination Guidelines for Professor and Teachers of the Year
Levels of Eligibility: Elementary/Middle School/Secondary/College & University
Any teacher or administrator may nominate an eligible AATSP member for Teacher of the Year (TOTY) or Professor of the Year (POTY). Self–nominations are also accepted. Please forward a copy of any letter of nomination directly to the person nominated. This courtesy letter should allow the nominee sufficient time to meet the application deadline, which is December 15. The complete nomination packet consists of 4 parts, which are outlined below.
♦ Introductory section, which contains the following information:
Nominated teacher’s full name; complete contact information for both home and school, including address, telephone, e-mail address, fax number (if any). School information, including address, telephone, and name and title of administrator.
Name, title and address of the person who nominated the teacher.
Note: in addition to the nomination letter, the packet should contain 2 or 3 letters of support from administrators, colleagues or others who have professional acquaintance with the applicant.
♦ Current copy of educational and professional résumé.
This section should include a descriptive documentation of specific activities related to membership in AATSP and other associations of foreign language teachers. Note: criteria for selection include the following: AATSP membership in good standing for at least 5 consecutive years; current full-time employment as a Spanish and/or Portuguese teacher in a GA elementary, middle or secondary school, or an institution of higher learning (college or university), with a minimum of 3 full years of experience prior to the year of nomination for the award. Please indicate number of years as a member and include 6-digit AATSP ID number.
♦ A statement of 2 to 3 pages in length which presents the candidate’s teaching philosophy and contains evidence of strong pedagogical skills. The narrative should reflect a keen sensitivity to students’ needs and abilities as learners of a second language. Anecdotal references should give evidence of leadership roles in foreign language education within and beyond the community where employed. It should contain specific evidence of continuing professional growth and development in the following ways: study and/or travel in countries where the target language is the official language; active participation in professional meetings; foreign language workshops, retreats or institutes.
♦ Publicity information: please include on a separate sheet the names and addresses of any news agencies that should receive notice of the award in the event that the nominee is selected. By submitting this information, the winning candidate agrees to publication of information related to this award in press releases, organizational publications and on the AATSP-GA website.
The Teacher of the Year/Professor of the Year awards will be announced at the AATSP Chapter meeting which is scheduled during the affiliates' segment of the annual FLAG Conference.
Please send all nomination materials to:
All levels K-12 for Teacher of the Year:
Jana Sandarg: jsandarg@augusta.edu
For Professor of the Year:
Jana Sandarg: jsandarg@augusta.edu
Postmark deadline for ALL nominating materials, including letters of recommendation: December 15
Any teacher or administrator may nominate an eligible AATSP member for Teacher of the Year (TOTY) or Professor of the Year (POTY). Self–nominations are also accepted. Please forward a copy of any letter of nomination directly to the person nominated. This courtesy letter should allow the nominee sufficient time to meet the application deadline, which is December 15. The complete nomination packet consists of 4 parts, which are outlined below.
♦ Introductory section, which contains the following information:
Nominated teacher’s full name; complete contact information for both home and school, including address, telephone, e-mail address, fax number (if any). School information, including address, telephone, and name and title of administrator.
Name, title and address of the person who nominated the teacher.
Note: in addition to the nomination letter, the packet should contain 2 or 3 letters of support from administrators, colleagues or others who have professional acquaintance with the applicant.
♦ Current copy of educational and professional résumé.
This section should include a descriptive documentation of specific activities related to membership in AATSP and other associations of foreign language teachers. Note: criteria for selection include the following: AATSP membership in good standing for at least 5 consecutive years; current full-time employment as a Spanish and/or Portuguese teacher in a GA elementary, middle or secondary school, or an institution of higher learning (college or university), with a minimum of 3 full years of experience prior to the year of nomination for the award. Please indicate number of years as a member and include 6-digit AATSP ID number.
♦ A statement of 2 to 3 pages in length which presents the candidate’s teaching philosophy and contains evidence of strong pedagogical skills. The narrative should reflect a keen sensitivity to students’ needs and abilities as learners of a second language. Anecdotal references should give evidence of leadership roles in foreign language education within and beyond the community where employed. It should contain specific evidence of continuing professional growth and development in the following ways: study and/or travel in countries where the target language is the official language; active participation in professional meetings; foreign language workshops, retreats or institutes.
♦ Publicity information: please include on a separate sheet the names and addresses of any news agencies that should receive notice of the award in the event that the nominee is selected. By submitting this information, the winning candidate agrees to publication of information related to this award in press releases, organizational publications and on the AATSP-GA website.
The Teacher of the Year/Professor of the Year awards will be announced at the AATSP Chapter meeting which is scheduled during the affiliates' segment of the annual FLAG Conference.
Please send all nomination materials to:
All levels K-12 for Teacher of the Year:
Jana Sandarg: jsandarg@augusta.edu
For Professor of the Year:
Jana Sandarg: jsandarg@augusta.edu
Postmark deadline for ALL nominating materials, including letters of recommendation: December 15
Nomination Guidelines for Elementary and Middle School Students of the Year
The student must: •be a student in elementary or middle school•be currently enrolled in a Spanish or Portuguese class•have demonstrated special aptitude and accomplishments in foreign language The nominating teacher must be an AATSP member in good standing (current year dues paid). The nomination packet consists of the following: 1. Nomination cover page with the following information: Student’s full name, grade in school, home address, telephone. 2. Personal data: please include an active e-mail contact address for the student, if available. School name, district, address, telephone, name and title of school administrator, nominating teacher’s name, telephone and e-mail contact information, along with the teacher's 6-digit AATSP ID number. 3. Description of student’s current course level in Spanish/Portuguese, as well as additional information concerning any other language courses taken, native/non-native status, and/or outside language experience. 4. Evidence of special achievement in the target language. Documentation may be selected from original drawings, writings, recordings, or other items that can be sent via email. The evidence of special achievement may consist of audio, videos, photo images or other visual record of activities, artwork, and/or awards won in foreign language events or other items that can be emailed. 5. A minimum of two (2) letters of endorsement. One letter must be from the student’s Spanish/Portuguese teacher; this is a narrative endorsement in which specific reasons for the nomination are cited. The other letter may be from another teacher, a principal, counselor or another person who is familiar with the student. 6. Publicity information: Please include names and addresses of local administration, newspaper contact and date of any school honors program. The winner is to send a digital photo image for posting on the Chapter website.
Please include the following statement, signed and dated by the student and parent or guardian: “The Georgia Chapter of AATSP is granted permission to include [SOTY nominee’s name and school] in press releases, in the organization’s publications and on the AATSP-GA website.” Submit nominations here. Deadline for submission is February 15.
Please include the following statement, signed and dated by the student and parent or guardian: “The Georgia Chapter of AATSP is granted permission to include [SOTY nominee’s name and school] in press releases, in the organization’s publications and on the AATSP-GA website.” Submit nominations here. Deadline for submission is February 15.
Nomination Guidelines for High School Student of the Year
The student must:
• be currently enrolled in Spanish or Portuguese • be in the second year or beyond in his/her studies • have placed in statewide, regional or national contests, or have been nominated for the Governor’s Honors Program • exhibit strong commitment to foreign languages beyond the normal realm of study (tutoring, special projects, etc.)
•be nominated by a teacher through a narrative.
The nominating teacher must be an AATSP member in good standing for the current year.
The nomination packet consists of four (4) parts:
1. Nomination cover page with the following information: Student name, home address, and e-mail address; School name, address, telephone; Name and title of school administrator; Nominating teacher’s name, telephone and email contact information; Student’s current course level of Spanish/Portuguese, native/non-native speaker status, as well as description of any outside language experience; Student’s current year in school, GPA in Spanish/Portuguese, and overall GPA; Experience in Spanish/Portuguese (chronological list of courses, travel, work, tutoring, etc.); Special school activities and awards (including test scores). The nominating teacher must sign this cover page and include 6-digit AATSP ID Number.
2. Current official transcript.
3. A minimum of two (2) letters of endorsement One letter must be from the student’s Spanish/Portuguese teacher (a narrative endorsement) in which specific reasons for the nomination are cited; the other letter(s) may be from another teacher, a principal, a guidance counselor, or another professional who is familiar with the student.
4. Publicity information: Please include names and addresses of local administration, newspaper contact(s), and date of school’s honors night. The winner is to send a digital photo image for posting on the Chapter website.
Please include the following statement, signed and dated by the student and parent or guardian: “The Georgia Chapter of AATSP is granted permission to include [SOTY nominee’s name and school affiliation] in press releases, in the organization’s publications, and on the AATSP-GA website.”
Submit nominations here.
Deadline for submission is February 15.
The nominating teacher must be an AATSP member in good standing for the current year.
The nomination packet consists of four (4) parts:
1. Nomination cover page with the following information: Student name, home address, and e-mail address; School name, address, telephone; Name and title of school administrator; Nominating teacher’s name, telephone and email contact information; Student’s current course level of Spanish/Portuguese, native/non-native speaker status, as well as description of any outside language experience; Student’s current year in school, GPA in Spanish/Portuguese, and overall GPA; Experience in Spanish/Portuguese (chronological list of courses, travel, work, tutoring, etc.); Special school activities and awards (including test scores). The nominating teacher must sign this cover page and include 6-digit AATSP ID Number.
2. Current official transcript.
3. A minimum of two (2) letters of endorsement One letter must be from the student’s Spanish/Portuguese teacher (a narrative endorsement) in which specific reasons for the nomination are cited; the other letter(s) may be from another teacher, a principal, a guidance counselor, or another professional who is familiar with the student.
4. Publicity information: Please include names and addresses of local administration, newspaper contact(s), and date of school’s honors night. The winner is to send a digital photo image for posting on the Chapter website.
Please include the following statement, signed and dated by the student and parent or guardian: “The Georgia Chapter of AATSP is granted permission to include [SOTY nominee’s name and school affiliation] in press releases, in the organization’s publications, and on the AATSP-GA website.”
Submit nominations here.
Deadline for submission is February 15.
Nomination Guidelines for University Student of the Year
The student must be enrolled in Spanish or Portuguese at the college or university level, have a minimum of three (3) semesters of Spanish/Portuguese (the first three foundation courses-1001, 1002, 2001), and be enrolled in 2002 or a higher-level course.
The student must demonstrate a commitment to foreign languages beyond the normal realm of study (honor programs, tutoring, university and community activities that are related to foreign language and culture, etc.) The student must be nominated by a language professor through a narrative. More importantly, the nominating professor must be an AATSP member in good standing for the current year.
The nomination packet consists of four (4) parts:
1. Nomination cover page with the following information:
Student name, home address, and e-mail contact, digital photo to be used in our publications; School name, address, telephone; Name and title of school administrator; Nominating professor’s name, telephone and email contact information, and include 6 digit AATSP ID number; Student’s current course level of Spanish/Portuguese, native/non-native status, as well as a detailed description of any outside language experience; Student’s current semester in college, GPA in Spanish/Portuguese, and overall GPA; Experience in Spanish/Portuguese (chronological list of courses, travel, work, tutoring, etc.); Special university and community activities and awards (chronological list). The nominating professor must sign this cover page.
2. Current official transcript.
3. A minimum of two letters of endorsement. One letter must be from the student’s Spanish/Portuguese professor (a narrative endorsement in which specific reasons for nomination are cited); the other letter(s) may be from another teacher, a principal, a guidance counselor, or others familiar with the student.
4. Publicity information:
Please include on a separate sheet the contact information (name, address, etc.) of local newspaper(s). The following statement, signed and dated by the student, must also be included: “I hereby grant permission to the Georgia Chapter of AATSP to include [SOTY nominee’s name and university affiliation] in press releases, in the organization publications and on the AATSP-GA website.”
Submit nominations here.
Deadline for submission is February 15.
The student must demonstrate a commitment to foreign languages beyond the normal realm of study (honor programs, tutoring, university and community activities that are related to foreign language and culture, etc.) The student must be nominated by a language professor through a narrative. More importantly, the nominating professor must be an AATSP member in good standing for the current year.
The nomination packet consists of four (4) parts:
1. Nomination cover page with the following information:
Student name, home address, and e-mail contact, digital photo to be used in our publications; School name, address, telephone; Name and title of school administrator; Nominating professor’s name, telephone and email contact information, and include 6 digit AATSP ID number; Student’s current course level of Spanish/Portuguese, native/non-native status, as well as a detailed description of any outside language experience; Student’s current semester in college, GPA in Spanish/Portuguese, and overall GPA; Experience in Spanish/Portuguese (chronological list of courses, travel, work, tutoring, etc.); Special university and community activities and awards (chronological list). The nominating professor must sign this cover page.
2. Current official transcript.
3. A minimum of two letters of endorsement. One letter must be from the student’s Spanish/Portuguese professor (a narrative endorsement in which specific reasons for nomination are cited); the other letter(s) may be from another teacher, a principal, a guidance counselor, or others familiar with the student.
4. Publicity information:
Please include on a separate sheet the contact information (name, address, etc.) of local newspaper(s). The following statement, signed and dated by the student, must also be included: “I hereby grant permission to the Georgia Chapter of AATSP to include [SOTY nominee’s name and university affiliation] in press releases, in the organization publications and on the AATSP-GA website.”
Submit nominations here.
Deadline for submission is February 15.