FAQ’s

What makes a good nomination?

The best nominations are detailed and include a lot of examples that show us, rather than tell us, how great the teacher is.

Are teachers of all subjects eligible?

Yes! Teachers of PreK-12 are eligible as long as they are full-time teachers.

Can I nominate a retired teacher?

No. Only current working teachers are eligible.

Can I nominate a coach?

A coach is only eligible if they also teach at the school. 

Can I nominate more than one teacher?

Yes! We encourage you to celebrate all the great teachers in your life!

Can I self-nominate?

No. Teachers can be nominated by students, parents of students, principals or colleagues but cannot self nominate.  

Can I nominate a spouse, friend or family member?

No, nominations can not come from a spouse, friend or family member.

Can I nominate someone who was nominated last year?

Yes, all nominees from previous years except for the Grand Prize Winner and Finalists are eligible for consideration.

Do I have to be a current New York resident to nominate a teacher?

No. But the nominee must teach at a NYC public school. 

Can a parent and a student work together on the nomination form?

Yes. We understand that some students, particularly those in elementary school will need parental assistance with the application.

Multiple people from my school want to nominate one teacher. Is it better to work on an application together or submit separately?

It is better for each person to submit their own nomination.

How is the winner selected?

Please refer to the Selection Process section on this website.

Do the winners have to use the prize money in a specific way?

No. The winners will receive unrestricted cash prizes. In addition, their schools will receive money to be used toward an arts-based initiative which will be designed by the winning teachers.

Can a Semifinalist / Finalist / Grand Prize Winner from previous years win again?

Semifinalists are eligible, Finalists are eligible again after five years, Grand Prize Winners are no longer eligible.

Why does the winning school need to use the grant for an art-based initiative?

While some positive trends have emerged over the past few years, the overall level of art-related programming in the public school system is still too low. To show support for the arts, we want the winners to design something art-related with the winning school grants, no matter what subject or grade they teach. For example, a winning science teacher could develop a program to analyze the cell structure of different plants, using the discovered shapes and colors as part of an abstract painting project.  Or a math teacher could have students investigate how math is used in the making of art -- from the basics of setting dimensions for a painting to the historical use of the “golden ratio”. We encourage all creative ideas!

Who can I contact if I have questions regarding the nomination form?

Please refer to the “Contact” section on this website and fill in the form. Someone will get back to you shortly.