At the heart of every successful bilingual program are caring and dedicated teachers who believe in the value of native language instruction to help language minority students excel academically. These are women and men who approach the teaching and learning process with a remarkable sense of responsibility and guided in their actions by a deep-seated conviction that every student is important, that education matters, and that one teacher can make a difference. These are indeed extraordinary educators whose daily work in the classroom is performed con orgullo y excelencia. In recognition of outstanding teaching and exemplary professional service by teachers throughout Texas, the Bilingual/ESL Education Association of the Metroplex established the BEAM Bilingual Teacher of the Year Award and the BEAM Secondary ESL Teacher of the Year Award.
 

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THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS: February 16, 2024

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AWARDS

The winners of the 2024 BEAM Teacher of the Year competitions:

• Will be publicly acknowledged and honored during the annual symposium with a special plaque recognizing their outstanding teaching. The Teachers of the Year are welcome to invite one guest to the awards dinner. 

• BEAM will cover  an all-expenses-paid trip to attend and compete at the state level  TOY at the annual TABE conference in October of 2024.

 

ELIGIBILITY

Bilingual Teacher of the Year

• Full-time PK-12 bilingual education teacher in a TEA-approved bilingual education program in Texas for at least three consecutive years prior to receiving this award and actively engaged in full-time employment in a bilingual education classroom at the time of nomination

• Certified or endorsed in bilingual education in Texas

• Current member of BEAM and TABE

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ESL Teacher of the Year

• Full-time ESL education teacher at the secondary level in a TEA-approved ESL education program in Texas for at least three consecutive years prior to receiving this award and actively engaged in full-time employment in an ESL education classroom at the time of nomination.

• Certified or endorsed in English as a Second Language (ESL) in Texas

• Current member of BEAM and TABE

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SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS   

All entries must be submitted by February 16, 2024 11:59 PM CST

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• The applicable form must be completed. This is where all documents will be submitted.

  • Bilingual Teacher of the Year Portfolio OR

  • Secondary ESL Teacher of the Year Portfolio 

• Biographical Sketch - a narrative of no more than four pages prepared by the teacher describing his or her formative environment and the specific events or experiences that lead to a career in bilingual education.

• Philosophy of Education - a statement of no more than four pages in which the candidate reflects on his or her commitment to the profession, including a description of the candidate's educational values and beliefs about bilingual education. 

• Professional Development - a description of no more than four pages of the candidate's academic preparation and participation in professional organizations and service committees, commissions, task forces, workshops, and conferences, etc. 

• Community Service - a description of no more than four pages of the candidate's participation in organizations, and in personal efforts to improve educational and social conditions of the community.

• Recommendations - one letter of recommendation from the teacher's immediate supervisor and a maximum of four other letters of recommendation. (Five total letters of support)

• Resume

• Nomination Form (click for template)

• Permission to Release Information (click for template)

• Headshot Photograph

PLEASE NOTE:

• Any applications received after the deadline will be disqualified.

• Any application missing any information will be disqualified.

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SYMPOSIUM AWARDS

Winners will have their picture printed in the Symposium Program and be acknowledged at the BEAM Symposium on April 6, 2024.

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• Copyright: All submission pieces become the property of BEAM and will not be returned. BEAM reserves the right to publish.

• Judging: A panel of judges will select the winners in each category. BEAM Board reserves the right to bestow or not to bestow the award for each category.

• Deadline: All entries must be received by February 16, 2024 11:59 PM CST. Contest entries need to be submitted by the teacher. Applicants will be notified by March 1, 2024. Entries from students from all language backgrounds are encouraged.

• Eligibility Disclaimer: BEAM committee members and their family members are not eligible to enter the contest. Family members of committee members include siblings, parents, significant others, children, grandchildren, and grandparents. Additionally, students of committee members, or students of family members of committee members, are not eligible to enter the contest.

 

Questions/Support

If you have any questions, please email Matt Condon at competitions@beamdfw.org