This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
Two prestigious and well-financed awards for teaching excellence, the Fishman Prize and the Knowles Science Teaching Fellowship, recently opened their nationwide application processes.
The Fishman Prize, awarded by The National Teaching Project, honors up to five “extraordinary” teachers with a $25,000 award and the opportunity to participate in a summer residency with other winners. The residency culminates in the publication of paper on best practices written by the participants.
Teachers working in high-poverty public or charter schools can apply before February 3, 2012. TNTP also accepts nominations for teachers who should be honored.
In an effort to keep young, similarly "exceptional" teachers in the profession, the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation supports promising high school math and science instructors with a five-year fellowship program valued at $150,000.
The program targets young teachers in science and math who may still be completing their certification process with fellowship funds covering “tuition assistance…monthly stipends, and grants for professional development and teaching materials,” according to the KSTF website. Recipients must commit to stay in teaching for at least five years.
KSTF fellows also receive regular feedback from program officers during their fellowship and participate in three yearly meet-ups with the other fellowship recipients. Applications are due January 11, 2012.