Educator Recognition Overview

Every year, DESE and partner organizations recognize a small number of outstanding educators from across the Commonwealth. More information on each award program is below. Please consider nominating an educator or applying for one of these recognitions yourself!

Recognition name	Who it honors	Prize	Due date for applications and nominations
Massachusetts Teacher of the Year	Full-time teachers who have completed at least 4 years of teaching experience, spend the majority of the school day in direct instruction of students, possess an active and valid Mass. teaching license, and teach in a public school or DESE-approved adult learning center	Public speaking opportunities, expenses-paid trips to convenings with other state teachers of the year, becomes the state's nominee for National Teacher of the Year	For the 2023 Mass. Teacher of the Year, nominations are due March 1, 2022, and applications are due March 14, 2022. (Applicants do not need to be nominated.)
Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year	K–12 teachers who teach American history (including state or local history) and have at least 3 years of classroom experience	$1,000 and a collection of American history classroom resources	Nominations due April 30, 2022. Nominees must submit supporting materials by May 30, 2022.
Massachusetts Milken Educator	K–12 educators	$25,000	Selection is secret and does not include an application.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)	Science, technology, engineering, math, and computer science. Grade span eligibility alternates each year.	$10,000 National Science Foundation award and a trip to Washington, D.C.	7–12 teachers' applications are due February 6, 2023.
Distinguished Educators	Early- to mid-career teachers and principals. Grade level varies as needed.	Considered for advisory boards and task forces	Recommendations for K–5 teachers are due April 1, 2022. Educators cannot self-recommend.
Sontag Prize	Educators who teach reading and writing, math, science, or specials (physical education, music, art, etc.)

Last Updated: November 16, 2022