K-State College of Education Student Awards

The College of Education bestows awards of excellence to students in undergraduate, gradute, future teacher, social justice, and teaching excellence.

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award

The Outstanding Undergraduate Student Awards are awarded in fall and spring to up to five (5) undergraduate students.

Award criteria:

  1. Student’s GPA
  2. Service to the College of Education and/or K-State (can include service projects, clubs in COE, clubs outside COE, activities, employment, etc.)
  3. Service to the community (can include service projects, volunteer work, clubs, activities, employment, etc.) Emphasize service that relates to the field of education.
  4. Academic honors and/or achievements
  5. Connection between academics and/or service to future teaching
  6. Nominations are made by COE faculty in recognition of exemplary undergraduate students.

The materials that the nominee is asked to submit:

A form asking for information regarding

  • Current GPA
  • Service to the College of Education and/or Kansas State University
  • Service to the community
  • Academic honors and/or achievements
  • Narrative statement explaining how nominee’s academic achievements and/or service will impact their future teaching career. (200 words maximum.)

Outstanding Graduate Student Award

The Outstanding Graduate Student Awards are available to one Master’s student and one Doctoral student each fall and spring.

Award Criteria:

  1. Excellence in scholarship
  2. Outstanding service to the College of Education, University, or profession
  3. Outstanding service to their current school district or university, and/or past educational employers
  4. Graduating in the semester the award is granted (summer graduates can be nominated for fall).

The materials that the nominee is asked to submit:

  • A current résumé or vitae.
  • A narrative outlining your philosophy of education. Limit one page.
  • A narrative of information regarding your accomplishments (service to the College of Education, University, profession, current school district or university, past education employers, etc.)
  • Two letters of recommendation.

Outstanding Future Teacher Award

The Outstanding Future Teacher Award is offered in the fall & spring to one Elementary Education student and one Secondary Education student.

Eligibility:

  • Nominee should be in the top 10% of all student interns.
  • Nominee must be currently enrolled in his/her student teaching semester.

Award Criteria:

  1. Planning and Preparation: Demonstrates knowledge of Content & Pedagogy, Demonstrates knowledge of Students, Selecting instructional goals, Demonstrating knowledge of resources, designing coherent instruction, Assessing student learning.
  2. The Classroom Environment: Creating an environment of respect and rapport, Establishing a culture for learning, Managing classroom procedures, Managing student behavior, Organizing physical space.
  3. Instruction: Communicating clearly and accurately, Using questioning and discussion techniques, Engaging students in learning, Providing feedback to students, Demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness.
  4. Professional Responsibility: Reflecting on teaching, Maintaining accurate records, Communicating with families, Contributing to the school and district, Growing and developing professionally, Showing professionalism.

Outstanding Future Teacher Award Nomination Form

Social Justice Award

The Social Justice Award is offered each Spring to one student (either undergraduate or graduate) from the College of Education.

Award Criteria:

  1. Applicants must be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in the College of Education at Kansas State University.
  2. Applicants should exhibit leadership that promotes positive interactions and a commitment to the inclusion of persons of marginalized groups within the university, the Manhattan community, or their home communities.
  3. Applicants must demonstrate “an understanding and appreciation for differences among people and the ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds” and “Advocate for the fair and equitable treatment of all students” as stated in the College of Education’s professional dispositions.
  4. Applicants must demonstrate and provide examples of how their social justice efforts contribute to the community or university in a positive way.
  5. Applicants should not have received compensation for the social justice work nor should the work be a part of their regular job responsibilities
  6. Students can demonstrate the criteria in-person, virtually, or any combination of in-person and virtual engagement.

The materials that the nominee is asked to submit:

  • A current resume or CV
  • One-page single-spaced statement providing examples of social justice efforts and articulating how the work impacted the community and/or university in a positive way.
  • One letter of recommendation

COE Graduate Student Teaching Excellence Award

The COE Graduate Student Teaching Excellence Award is offered each Spring to one graduate student from the College of Education.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Enrolled in a graduate program in the K-State College of Education
  • Teaching responsibilities at K-State during the academic year in which the award is presented
  • Demonstrates highly effective teaching

The materials that the nominee is asked to submit:

  • Completed nomination form
  • A current resume or CV
  • Double-spaced teaching portfolio of no more than three (3) pages written by the nominee documenting evidence of highly effective teaching, which may include:
    • Statement of teaching philosophy
    • Evidence of instructional design for improved student learning
    • Evidence of effective student/colleague mentoring
    • Evidence of professional development
  • One (1) letter of recommendation