2026 Teacher of the Year Application

Application 

Application Due Date: by Monday, February 3rd: 4p.m. EST using the online application

The school division’s selected 2026 Teacher of the Year candidate that does not have an SurveyMonkey Apply account, can create one using the REGISTER link at the top right corner of the main page. The school division’s selected Teacher of the Year candidate will be able to upload their portfolio and prompt their principal and superintendent for the required signatures.

Note that applications cannot be submitted until all recommendations have been received. Applicants should check back periodically to monitor recommendation status. All application materials must be received by Monday, February 3rd, no later than 4:00 p.m. EST. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. A copy of the application is available here to preview only.  All applications must be submitted online.

Please contact TeacheroftheYear@doe.virginia.gov with any questions.

Selection of Local Nominees

Virginia school division superintendents are invited to nominate one teacher for state-level recognition. These nominees will then be considered for Regional Teacher of the Year awards, and the Virginia Teacher of the Year will be selected from among those eight Regional Teachers of the Year. In addition to participating in the selection of the Virginia Teacher of the Year, the program presents an opportunity to recognize outstanding teachers within the system. The selection procedures and guidelines within a school division are local decisions; however, in addition to reviewing the state criteria, the following suggestions are offered for local selection. 

• All nominations should not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, political affiliation, or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. 
• Teachers retiring from the profession at the end of the school year should not be nominated because the teacher must be active during the following school year. 
• Local recognition should be an integral part of the selection process. Recognition need not be elaborate but should involve public congratulations and appropriate awards to the teachers involved.
• Time needs to be allocated for the development of the nominee's portfolio for state submission. For that reason, the Department encourages school divisions to make their selections known to the teachers as early as possible, so the teachers have adequate time to prepare the necessary materials, request a signature from the Superintendent, gather letters of support, and develop the written portions of the portfolio.