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Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year​

Since 1970, the Illinois State Board of Education has sponsored the Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year program to honor educators who have made significant contributions to our state's public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. Awards are presented in six categories: classroom teachers, early career educators (teachers 1-4 years), school administrators, student support personnel, educational service personnel, and community volunteers. Application materials are evaluated by a selection committee composed of individuals who represent a variety of educational organizations. All awardees are honored at an annual banquet in the Spring. Send a message to awards@isbe.net if you have questions about the program. ​​​​​

Gilder Lehrman National History Teacher of the Year Award

Each year, one outstanding educator will represent Illinois in the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History National History Teacher of the Year Program . The program is open to any Illinois full-time educator of grades K–12 who teaches American history (including state and local history) either as an individual subject or as part of other subjects, such as social studies, reading, or language arts. ​​​​​​​​​​​

Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award

The purpose of the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award is to recognize and promote the commitment and excellence exhibited by full- or part-time classified school employees who provide exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through high school. ISBE and the Illinois Governor's Office select the 2 RISE Award nominees from top-scoring Those Who Excel awardees by November 1 annually. Those state nominees may be selected by the Secretary of Education to receive the RISE Award for that school year by the following spring. Check out the RISE Award celebratory video from the U.S. Department of​ Education.

2026 National RISE Nominees

Previous National RISE Awardees from Illinois:

• 2024 National RISE Award Recipient: Mario Diaz Albarran
  • View photos from the 2024 Surprise Announcement

Previous Illinois RISE Award Nominees:

• 2025 Illinois RISE Nominees
• 2024 Illinois RISE Nominees
• 2023 Illinois RISE Nominees

Eligible staff members should submit applications in the next available Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year awards cycle to be considered for RISE Award nomination. Please submit any questions to awards@isbe.net.​​​

ILLINOIS GREEN RIBBON SCHOOLS

The Illinois Green Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that are leading the way to promote sustainability and environmental education. Illinois Green Alliance annually reviews applications from schools that integrate best practices in energy, water and waste management, healthy school environments, and environmental education. Winning applications for the Illinois Green Ribbon Schools program demonstrate progress and achievements in each of the three pillars:

• Reduce environmental impact and costs;
• Improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and
• Provide environmental education, which teaches many disciplines, and is especially good at effectively incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways.

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the Illinois Green Alliance program page to gain insights into the awards process and explore how their school communities can engage with the Illinois Green Ribbon Schools program. All application materials must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Dec. 19, 2025. Applications are scored by a panel of individuals with strong backgrounds in each of the three pillars.

Please contact mwright@illinoisgreenalliance.org if you have questions about the awards program. ​