•September 6, 2023•

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today issued a call for nominations for the 2024 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards, the program that recognizes outstanding teachers, administrators, school personnel, and volunteers. These awards honor individuals who have made significant contributions to Illinois’ public and nonpublic preK-12 schools.  

Any person or organization may submit nominations for outstanding school personnel in their lives. Nominees complete an application after they have been nominated. Candidates also can apply directly for an award without being nominated. Applications opened today and are due by Oct. 15 to be eligible for award. 

ISBE will honor the 2024 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year award winners at the 50th annual banquet in May 2024.  

“Everyone has a teacher or other school staff who has made an impact in their own or their child’s life. Nominating someone for a Those Who Excel or Teacher of the Year Award tells that person how much you care and what a difference they have made,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “When you nominate an outstanding educator, or encourage them to apply for the awards directly, you are starting off this upcoming school year with gratitude. We encourage everyone to help us honor the vital and impactful work of their colleagues, supervisors, and community members by submitting a nomination for the 2024 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards.”  

A team of reviewers will consider the applications submitted statewide and select the 2024 Teacher of the Year from the group of finalists, consisting of at least 10 Regional Teachers of the Year and the Bilingual, Special Education, and Early Childhood Teachers of the Year. ISBE will also recognize an Outstanding Early Career Educator with less than five years of teaching experience.  

“It is the honor of a lifetime. I have been fortunate to travel far and wide as Illinois Teacher of the Year and see, hear, and marvel at the magic done for and with students in every community across our great state,” said 2023 Teacher of the Year Briana Morales. “When I was first nominated for recognition, I was deeply honored and humbled to have my work and impact acknowledged by my colleagues. The life-changing educators I have gotten to meet across the state deserve that same feeling.” 

ISBE’s Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards honor excellence in several professional categories:   

Teacher (five or more years of teaching experience, including the current school year) 

Early Career Educator (teachers with less than five years of teaching experience, including the current school year)  

Administrator (superintendent, principal, assistant principal, etc.) 

Community Volunteer (individuals not employed by the school/district, who positively contribute time and energy to their school/district)  

Student Support Personnel (school nurse, psychologist, social worker, school counselor, or speech/language therapist) 

Educational Service Personnel (aides/paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers, custodians, administrative assistants, bus drivers, resource officers)  

Team (a group of individuals from any of the above categories that positively contributes time and energy to their school/district)  

Please see this application overview to review all eligibility criteria.  

ISBE accepts nominations year-round, but nominations should be submitted by Sept. 15 to give interested nominees enough time to complete the subsequent, required application.  

Learn more about both the Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year program requirements and submit a nomination on the ISBE program webpage. Nominators, external relations staff, and potential applicants are all encouraged to attend ISBE’s TWE & TOY Awards informational webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 6, to learn more about the agency’s awards process and discover how their school communities can participate in ISBE’s awards program.