Do you know a teacher that deserves some extra recognition? The Chapel Hill – Carrboro Public School Foundation is looking for nominations for five Teaching Chair Awards.

“The nominations are open to the community. Anyone can nominate a teacher, their peer, their principal, their students, their parents,” said Lynn Lehmann, Executive Director of the Public School Foundation.

The awards come with a $1,000 prize and the winners will hold the chair for two to three years, depending on the award. The awards will recognize a teacher at the elementary, middle and high school levels as well as awards for using technology in the classroom and teaching exceptional children.

The Chapel Hill – Carrboro Public School Foundation offers grants to teachers to help fund projects and programs that otherwise would go unfunded. They also help low-income students who need assistance with extra-curricular and summer programs.

The foundation awards 10 different multi-year teaching chairs; this year five of those awards are open. The teachers will receive a $1,000 prize every year they hold the chair.

After the nomination process, a committee of teachers, students, administrators and parents will interview the nominees and select the winners.

“They come for the interview, they’re asked to bring a portfolio of their work of a lesson plan, of an innovative teaching method that they use in the classroom,” said Lehmann.

The Teaching Chair Awards began the early ’80s. Since then the foundation has given dozens of awards. Lehmann hopes the awards motivate teachers to stay in the area.

“Our philosophy about recognizing teachers and about awarding teachers is for excellent teacher retention,” said Lehmann. “We hope that by offering awards to outstanding teachers that they will feel valued in the community, valued at their school and valued at their district.”

Eligible teachers must have three years of experience in Chapel Hill- Carrboro City Schools. Nominations are due by January 31 and can be submitted at Public School Foundation.

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