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Exceptional educators that make a difference in Illinois student's lives and contribute positively to the culture of the school district in which they serve in one of the following categories:

• Administrator
• Team
• Community Volunteer
• Student Support Personnel*
• School nurse, psychologist, social worker, school counselor, or speech/language therapist
• Educational Service Personnel
• Aides/paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers, custodians, administrative assistants, bus drivers, resource officers

• An outstanding educator is nominated by someone with firsthand knowledge of the qualities possessed by the nominee that makes them worthy of statewide recognition.
• Nominations by Student Enrollment
• Districts with student enrollment of less than 5,000 may nominate one individual per Those Who Excel category.
• Districts with student enrollment of more than 5,000 may nominate two individuals per Those Who Excel category.
  
• Due to the high number of student enrollment at Chicago Public School District 299, CPS may still nominate two or more individuals per category. 
• Nominations are submitted electronically by clicking the “Submit a Nomination" button below.
• Nominations are awarded on the following levels:
  • Award of Excellence
  • Award of Meritorious Service
    
• A selection committee composed of representatives of statewide education stakeholders will convene in early summer to evaluate and score the nominations.
• Awardees and their administrators will be notified in late summer.
• Awards Banquet: To Be Determined pending public healthy and safety conditions and guidelines
  
  

* Please note: All nominees will also be considered to represent Illinois as one of the two nominees for the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award. The RISE Awards are designed 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.

To nominate:

1. Please select the Submit a Nomination button below. You will be redirected to ISBE's new awards management system – Submittable.
   
2. Select “Create your account" – Please note this allows for the secure submittal of nomination information and materials.
3. Once your account is created, select Those Who Excel - Specific Category.
4. Enter the requested information.