Foundation Awards & Programs
We honor all rural teachers and administrators for their significant contributions to education throughout our nation and congratulate them for their awards and recognitions. We invite you to nominate individuals or submit an application for consideration of these coveted awards.
Awards Announcement
All awards will be active in 2021.
This annual contest allows participants in three divisions: grades 3–5, middle school, and high school. Grades 3–5 may participate in a written essay contest using the provided prompt and rubric. Grades 6–12 may participate in a video essay contest using the provided prompt and rubric.
Award
- The winner in the elementary division receives $250. The runner-up receives $100.
- The winners in the middle and high school divisions receive $400. The runner-up receives a $200 prize.
Winners
Contest Guidelines, Prompts, and Rubrics
Eligibility
Grades 3–5 may participate in a written essay using the provided prompt and rubric. Middle school and high school students in grades 6–12 may participate in a video contest using the provided prompt and rubric. Any student who attends a rural school may participate. Please visit the links below for contest guidelines and rubrics.
This award, in honor of Stanley A. Brzezinski, is funded by the Brzezinski family. It honors educational research that addresses significant rural issues and makes notable contributions to the knowledge base of rural education. We recognize the winner at the NREA national convention.
Award
- $500
Award Winners
- 2019 - Hobart Harmon
- 2017 - Jerry Johnson
- 2016 - Kai Arthur Schafft
- 2015 - No award
- 2014 - No award
- 2013 - No award
- 2012 - Marty Strange
- 2011 - Pat Hardre
- 2010 - Claudette Morton
- 2009 - Hobart Harmon
- 2008 - Patricia Hammer
- 2007 - Aimee Howley and Craig Howley
Application Process
- Submission deadline: June 30 of each year
- Brzezinski Process & Application
The Chance family, through the NREA Foundation, funds this award in recognition of doctoral research that makes a significant contribution to rural education and addresses issues of current concern. The dissertation judged most meritorious receives the award, and we recognize the author at the NREA National Convention.
Award
- $500
Award Winners
- 2020 - Dr. Lori Langlois
- 2019 - Dr. J. Kessa Roberts
- 2018 - Dr. Julie Downing
- 2017 - Dr. Jacqueline Yahn
- 2016 - Dr. Shelby L. Davidson
- 2015 - John Ulferts
- 2014 - Lynn Lisy-Macan
- 2013 - Joshua Phiester
- 2012 - Erin McHenry-Sorber
- 2011 - Sara Beasley
- 2010 - Howell Wright and Sara Armstrong
- 2009 - Karen Eppley
- 2008 - Michael Barbour
- 2007 - John Huysiman
- 2006 - Marilyn Dishman-Horst
Application Process
We are very proud to present the annual College Board Rural Teacher of the Year Award to a deserving rural teacher.
Award
- $2000 honorarium to winner
- $1000 to winner's school district for the purchase of instructional materials and school supplies
The Foundation Board of Trustees gives a yearly award to a current member of the NREA who has served for a minimum of five years and has given significant contributions in service to the NREA as well as to his/her local rural school district, state, or the nation in the field of rural education.
Winners
- Jack Sanders: Inducted in 2015 - Rural Researcher
- Claudette Morton: Inducted in 2015 - Montana Rural Education Leader
- Don Rogers: Inducted in 2015 - Texas Rural Education Association Executive Director
- Al Eads: Inducted in 2012 - Past President 2003
- Patricia Laubach: Inducted in 2010 - North Dakota Past President 1990
- George Brown: Inducted in 2010 - Texas Past President 2001
- Travis Cliett: Inducted in 2010 - Mississippi Executive Committee Member
- John Sullivan: Inducted in 2009 - Kansas Past President 1999 and Auctioneer
- Edward W. Chance: Inducted in 2009 - Oklahoma and Nevada Research Leader
- V. Pauline Hodges: Inducted in 2008 - Oklahoma Past President 1998
- E. Robert Stephens: Inducted in 2008 - Iowa Past President 1972
- Joe Newlin: Inducted in 2007 - Colorado Executive Secretary 1980–1999
- Ray Drage: Inducted in 2007 - Ohio Past President 1979
Application Process
- Submission deadline: July 31 of each year
- Hall of Fame Nomination Criteria and Process
The NREA annually solicits nominations for the HERO Award from the NREA State Affiliates, the NREA Membership, the NREA Legislative Committee, and the National Rural Education Advocacy Coalition. Nominees are presented to the Legislative Committee prior to the NREA annual convention, and the committee, with advice from the NRE Advocacy Coalition, recommends the nominee(s) to receive the NREA Hero Award. The NREA presents this prestigious award at the National Convention.
Application Process
- Email our Executive Director to submit an application to the NREAC Legislative Team.
Our panel of judges selects the winner for Best Research Award submitted for the Research Symposium. We recognize the author in conjunction with the Annual NREA Research Symposium.
Award Winners
- 2019 - Dr. Catherine Biddle, Dr. Erin McHenry, and Dr. Daniella Hall Sutherland
- 2016 - Dr. Erin McHenry and Dr. Daniella Hall
- 2015 - Matthew Burke, Elisabeth Davis, and Jennifer Stephens
- 2014 - Gary Storie and Peter Denner
- 2013 - Jackie Florendo and Jody Isernhagen
- 2012 - Michelle Tines
- 2011 - Aimee Howley, Karen Eppley, and Marged Howley
- 2010 - Caitlin Howley, Kimberly Hambrick
- 2009 - John Sipple, Lisa McCabe, and Hope Castro
- 2008 - Pat Hardre and David Sullivan
- 2007 - Mary Beth Corbin and Vivian Martin Covington
- 2006 - Pat Hardre
Application Process
- We update submission guidelines and send them out in February of each year prior to the NREA & Battelle for Kids conference.
The NREA Exemplary Practices Award is presented annually to an individual or an organization for demonstrating exemplary practice in one or more of the following areas:
- Curriculum development, staff development, or administrative practices to provide more equitable educational opportunities for children in rural communities
- Enhancement of communications within and among local school districts
- Promotion and development of state and regional delivery systems that bring about efficient and effective education for children in rural areas
- Curriculum planning and/or instructional strategies to effectively utilize the rural environment and the characteristics of small schools
- Financial efficiency in school operations
Award
- Complimentary registration to the Annual NREA Convention
Award Winners
- 2018 - University of Tennessee at Knoxville Rural Principal Network
- 2017 - Dr. Shelby Davidson
- 2015 - Krista Stith
Application Process
- Submission deadline: June 15
- Exemplary Practices Award Application
The NREA Outstanding Service Award is presented annually to an NREA member with demonstrated contributions in one or more of the following areas:
- Developing the leadership potential of rural youth and adults in a rural district or region
- Enhancing rural community development
- Supporting and assisting in furthering the effectiveness of communications between local school districts and business/industry, governmental agencies, and/or institutions of higher education
- Facilitating partnerships among schools, between schools, and in the private sector
- Supporting legislation to enhance rural schools and education
- Supporting exemplary practices
- Promoting advocacy of rural education
- Providing leadership in the development of rural education-related conferences and workshops
The NREA Awards and Recognition Committee receives and evaluates nominations and supporting materials for the NREA Outstanding Service Award and makes recommendations to the NREA Executive Committee for final approval.
Award
- Complimentary registration to the Annual NREA Convention
Application Process
- Submission deadline: June 15
- NREA Outstanding Service Award Nomination Form