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
- 2021 - Dr. Amy Azano-Price
- 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
- 2021 - Dr. Rachel Chamberlain
- 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 NREA Foundation Teacher of the Year Award to a deserving rural teacher.
Award
- $2000 honorarium to the winner
- $1000 to the 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
- Mary Lou Gammon: Inducted in 2015
- Ray Patrick: Inducted in 2018
- Barb Havlicek: Inducted in 2018
- Jules Waber: Inducted in 2019
- Phil Gerik: Inducted in 2021
- Scott Turney: Inducted in 2021
- Jerry White: Inducted in 2022
Application Process
- Submission deadline: July 31 of each year
- Hall of Fame Nomination Criteria and Process
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
- 2021 - Dr. Catharine Biddle, Dr. Maria Frankland, and Dr. Ryan Crane - University of Maine
- 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 Research Team review and guidelines.
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