Awards Directory
Recognize Excellence in Special Education
Every year, dozens of education professionals are recognized for their work supporting individuals with disabilities. The database below links to many of these opportunities for you to nominate yourself or a colleague.
Early Career Research Award
Given to someone who is beginning their career and showing promise as a researcher. Individuals who finished their doctoral work less than 5 years ago are eligible. These nominees must be contributing to research related to students with autism, intellectual disability, and other developmental disabilities in a significant way.
Emerging Special Educators of Color Leadership Travel Award
The Council for Exceptional Children is committed to upholding the vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to support all of our members, volunteers, and staff as well as the infants, toddlers, and students with exceptionalities and their families we serve, especially those differentially impacted by systemic racism. In this spirit, we invite racially/ethnically diverse CEC members who are in their first seven years of service to apply for the Emerging Special Educators of Color Leadership Travel Award.
Kauffman-Hallahan-Pullen Distinguished Researcher Award
In recognition of the critical importance of research in special education conducted and disseminated by individuals or research teams whose impactful work has resulted in more effective services or education for exceptional individuals.
KYCEC Outstanding Paraeducator Award
KYCEC recognizes the essential role that paraeducators play in providing key support to teachers, aiding in student learning, and helping classrooms to be more inclusive. This award is intended to honor Kentucky paraeducators who are currently involved in direct or related services to students with disabilities and provide exemplary service to students and special educators.
Marjorie Crick Teacher of the Year Award
The Marjorie Crick Teach of the Year Award recognizes exemplary teachers/providers of direct services to students with exceptionalities with 5 or more years of experience. We encourage colleagues, staff, students, and parents to nominate a veteran teacher who has at least five years of teaching experience and has impacted a student with a disability in a special way.