Awards to Iowa teachers and individuals to recognize their contributions to or support of the field of teaching English or language arts at the elementary, middle school, high school, or college level. Nominees for any of the available awards should demonstrate the characteristics below.

Barb Schubert Award: Recognizes a beginning teacher (0-4 years experience) for excellence in the classroom based on the following criteria:

1. The teacher implements innovative pedagogy in the classroom.
2. The teacher has exceptional literacy interactions with students and families.
3. The teacher utilizes a carefully planned, rich curriculum that reflects the current state of the profession.
4. The teacher displays enthusiasm for students, language, innovation, colleagues, and teaching.
5. The teacher shows an interest in leadership, professional self-development, and colleagues.

Friend of Literacy Award: Recognizes someone who supports an English/language arts teacher and/or students, and encourages the exploration and engagement in literacy pursuits by donating time or financial support, removing barriers, and/or providing other resources. A potential recipient could be a parent, business owner, associate, organization, Non-ELA teacher, administrator, media specialist, student, public librarian, or instructional coach.

High School and Middle School Teacher of Excellence: Recognizes an excellent veteran (5+) middle and high school language arts teacher based on the following criteria:

1. The teacher has exceptional literacy interactions with students and families.
2. The teacher utilizes a carefully planned, rich curriculum that reflects the current state of the profession.
3. The teacher encourages and participates in an atmosphere of professional collaboration
4. The teacher implements innovative pedagogy in the classroom

Distinguished Service Award (DSA)—recognize an instructional leader whose service to English/language arts has contributed significantly with local, regional, state, and/or national impact in his/her own school district, area education agency, college, or other institution. The individual may have written for in-house publications, may have served on local committees, may have established the reputation within the local community for being a spokesperson for English language arts instruction, and/or may be recognized as someone professionally involved such as in ICTE and its affiliates, the Iowa Writing Project, Department of Education committees, NCTE, or other professional organizations either as a contributor to newsletters/journals, a speaker/presenter, and/or officer/committee member.