Teacher of Year Qualifications and Criteria

Virginia school division superintendents are invited to nominate one teacher for state-level recognition. The program is open to all teachers in pre-kindergarten through grade 12, including library media specialists, school counselors, career and technical educators, mathematic specialists, and reading specialists, who hold a current renewable Virginia teaching license in the assigned teaching area. 

The Superintendent may designate one individual, such as their school division’s Teacher of the Year candidate, to complete the application. Please use your work email to create or log into the online portal. Completed applications must be submitted by Monday, February 3rd by 4p.m. EST using the 2026 Teacher of the Year Application.

Teachers must be employed in a Virginia public or accredited nonpublic school. Candidates should be dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled, and plan to continue in an active teaching role. Candidates must hold a five- or ten-year renewable Virginia license issued by the Virginia Board of Education. Teachers holding provisional, provisional (special education), provisional (career switcher), eligibility, or international educator licenses are not eligible to participate in the program.  

• Individuals who possess current renewable Virginia teaching licenses with an endorsement(s) in the teaching assignment and who teach in Virginia public or accredited nonpublic schools are eligible to participate in the Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year program.
• The program is open to all teachers in pre-kindergarten through grade 12, including library media specialists, school counselors, career and technical educators, mathematic specialists, and reading specialists, who hold a current five- or ten-year renewable Virginia teaching license issued by the Virginia Board of Education in the assigned teaching area. Individuals holding provisional, provisional (special education), provisional (career switcher), eligibility, or international educator teaching licenses are not eligible to participate. 
• Candidates should be teachers who are exceptionally skilled and dedicated and who are planning to continue in an active teaching status. Candidates must be willing to fulfill Teacher of the Year responsibilities. Candidates who plan to retire or accept administrative or supervisory positions will relinquish their eligibility. 
• Teachers selected should have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues. They should play active and meaningful roles in their communities as well as in their schools. Many candidates will have distinguished themselves as leaders in public education at the local, regional, and/or state levels.
• Candidates also should be in good standing in the school division and school, poised, articulate, and knowledgeable about their teaching areas and education in general.

National Teacher of the Year: Numerous criteria are used in evaluating the nominees, including the abilities of the teacher in the classroom and in communicating their message to a broad audience. Candidates will be considered based on the following criteria developed by the CCSSO:

• Seen as an expert in their field who guides students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve excellence;
• Collaborates with colleagues, students, and families to create a school culture of respect and success; 
• Deliberately connects the classroom and key stakeholders to foster a strong community at large; 
• Demonstrates leadership and innovation in and outside of the classroom walls that embodies lifelong learning; and 
• Expresses themselves in an engaging and articulate way.