Seeking Applicants for the 2021 EngageAsia Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award (Humanities Category)!
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See: https://www.elginheinzaward.org/ for full details.
Deadline: October 15, 2021
One of the 2020 winners was a JET alum!
Nominations for the Award are also welcome anytime via info@engageasia.org
Application Details are Below and Here: https://www.elginheinzaward.org/apply
Application Details
The Elgin Heinz Award recognizes exceptional teachers who further mutual understanding between Americans and Japanese. The 2021 award will focus on humanities teachers and consist of an award grant of up to $1,000.
2021 applications are due on October 15, 2021.
The award is named in honor of Elgin Heinz for his commitment to educating students about Asia as well as for the inspiration he has provided to the field of pre-college education.
See the most recent Award Ceremony HERE.
Eligibility Requirements
The award is open to current full-time K-12 classroom teachers of any relevant subject in the United States. There are two award categories, one in the humanities and one in Japanese language. The 2021 award will be awarded only in the Humanities category and the 2022 award will focus on Japanese Language.
Previous award recipients often have over 10 years of teaching experience and have been engaged in teaching their students about Japan for a substantial period of time. Candidates must demonstrate sustained commitment to improving mutual understanding between Americans and Japanese, and must have made a significant contribution to enhancing students’ knowledge of Japan.
Applicants for the Japanese language category must have excellent command of the Japanese language and may be contacted by members of the selection committee to verify this.
Nomination Procedures
Applicants for the Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award are accepted in two ways:
- Educators who meet the requirements are encouraged to apply on their own. A nomination is not required.
- Nominations are also accepted, and we encourage those in the field to nominate educators whom they believe are deserving of this award.
Letters of Nomination should briefly highlight the qualifications of the candidate and must include his/her name, contact information, and indicate the school at which the candidate currently teaches.
EngageAsia, which is administering the award, will accept Letters of Nomination at any time and will inform candidates that they have been nominated for the Award. Those nominated must submit a full application as indicated below.
Nominators should keep in mind the deadline for applications is in September. Therefore, it is recommended that nominations be submitted by mid-July in order to provide potential candidates the time needed to compile their applications.
Letters of Nomination should be e-mailed to EngageAsia at: info@engageasia.org
Application Procedures & Deadlines for 2021
(Humanities category)
Applicants must submit the following documents by October 15, 2021 to be considered (please note: all materials must be submitted in one PDF document via e-mail to EngageAsia, the award administrator, at: info@engageasia.org):
1. Cover Sheet that includes the following information:
- Full name and home address
- School name and address
- E-mail and telephone contact information
- The subjects and grades you currently teach
- A list of Japan-related programs in which you have participated
- Names and contact information for those submitting letters of support
2. A narrative (not to exceed three (3) pages typed, double spaced) describing your efforts to further mutual understanding between Americans and Japanese through your classroom teaching. Please describe your classroom atmosphere and your approach to teaching about Japan and Japanese Language. Applicants should also highlight leadership positions held and detail how they have impacted other educators locally and/or nationally.
3. Three letters of support from individuals or organizations familiar with you and your teaching on Japan. A letter from a student explaining how your efforts affected his/her perceptions and understanding of Japan is permissible as a letter of support. One letter must come from the school’s principal or vice principal. Support letters can be sent under separate cover or included with all application materials.
4. A proposal not longer than three pages detailing how the candidate would utilize a grant of up to $1,000 (pending EngageAsia’s financial ability to offer a grant in 2021) to bolster Japanese language and/or Japan related endeavors in his or her classroom or at his or her school. The proposal must be specific and include a budget.
5. A professional resume
The application should be submitted in one PDF electronically to: info@engageasia.org
Deadline for 2021
Complete applications must be received by EngageAsia on or prior to October 15, 2021 to be considered for the 2021 award.
Review & Selection
A national selection committee administered by EngageAsia will review complete applications received by or on October 15, 2021. The selection committee consists of leaders in the field of education about Japan and Japanese language. The award winners will be announced in the winter of 2021.
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