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The Minority Recognition Awards were established to honor the outstanding achievements of minorities from across the state of Maryland. The award has five categories:  public education, politics, leadership, community involvement, and the fifth category celebrates the contributions an MSEA Aspiring Educator makes in the promotion of the United Education Profession (local affiliate/MSEA/NEA).

Questions? Contact Tina Dove, [email protected].

The application period will open on May 1.

Click here to see a list of past Minority Recognition Award winners. 

Submissions can be made via a hard copy nomination form or via this online form. 
Click here for additional information.

The nominee should:

A. Demonstrate leadership on public education issues.

B. Foster increased public understanding of public schools in American society.

C. Promote a positive image of public education on behalf of students, parents, and educators.

D. Encourage and promote improvement in Maryland’s public school system.

CATEGORIES

Education Award

• A nominee must be employed in the public education system in the State of Maryland and be a member of the United Education Profession.
• A nominee should show evidence of a specific contribution to the improvement of education in the State of Maryland.
• A nominee must be an active MSEA/NEA member.  

Leadership Award

• A nominee should show outstanding contributions on a sustained basis rather than only those performed in a single exceptional service deed.
• This award category is for leadership demonstrated beyond the United Education Profession leadership positions that an individual may hold.

Politics Award

• A nominee should promote, sponsor and/or support legislation and/or governmental action that consistently promotes and enhances public education in Maryland.

Community Award

• A nominee should demonstrate dedication to public education by his or her involvement in activities such as:
  • Providing individual support to students, educational employees, and parents;
  • Sponsoring on-going school-related activities;
  • Advocating public education issues;
  • Consistently giving leadership, long hours and loyalty to public education; and
  • Presenting a positive image of public education and educators.

Aspiring Educator Award

• A nominee must be a member of the MSEA Student Program. 
• A nominee should promote goals and policies of the United Education Profession.
• A nominee should show evidence of participation in activities that further the growth of public education.

PROCESS

Nominations

Awards may be given to individuals whose nomination is in compliance with the procedures outlined below.

1. Anyone submitting the established nomination form and seconding form (see below) must be an active, retired, or life member of either MSEA or NEA
2. All nomination forms must bear the signature of the person making the nomination along with his/her home address; and the signatures of four (4) seconders. The nomination form must also be accompanied by a typed 100 word personal statement as well as supporting materials such as copies of newspaper clippings, certificates, and/or citations.
    NOTE: Supplementary materials provided must relate directly to the specific criterion or criteria for which the candidate is being nominated. Items will not be returned so photo copies are sufficient.
3. Members of the MSEA Minority Affairs Committee during the year of the award are ineligible to receive the award. A member of the MSEA Minority Affairs Committee may not nominate a potential recipient, but may second a nomination. Only one second may come from a member of the committee.
4. Present MSEA officers and members of the Board of Directors are ineligible to receive this award, to nominate, or to second the nomination of a potential recipient.
5. The Board of Directors as a body may, by a unanimous vote of board members present and voting, nominate a group or an elected or appointed individual outside the United Education Profession. The Board of Directors must follow the nomination procedural requirements.

Eligibility

In this program, minority shall mean those persons designated as ethnic minority by statistics published by the United States Bureau of the Census. This designation shall specifically include Black/African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Asian, and American Indian/Alaska Native.

Submission

Nominations can be completed in two ways:

1. Completed hard copy nomination forms and supporting documents, in one complete nomination packet, are to be received at MSEA Headquarters, 140 Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21401, no later than 5:00 p.m. November 1, 2022.
2. Completed online nomination forms and attached supporting documents to be received via the online form no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 1.

Presentation of the Award

Honorees will be celebrated at the Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in January.