CSTA

CASE Awards Programs

Applications Due By: Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 12:00 PM

CASE Awards Program Statement of Philosophy

CASE believes that the importance of science education cannot be overstated. Given the essential presence of the sciences in understanding the past and planning for the future, science education remains and will increasingly be one of the most important disciplines in education. CASE is committed to recognizing and encouraging excellence in science teaching through the presentation of awards to science educators who have made outstanding contributions in science education in the state and who are poised to continue the momentum of providing high quality, relevant science education into the future.

NOTE: Members of the CASE Board of Directors may not be considered for any award while they serve on the board.

For information on the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, see www.paemst.org.


Administrator Leadership Award

The Administrator Leadership Award, which honors a school or district administrator who has made a significant contribution to improve and support the quality of science education at their sites and who, through their leadership and service in coaching teachers, expanding access to high quality professional learning, and revamping of policies and procedures has truly made a positive impact on the quality of science teaching.
Award Criteria/Nomination Requirements

The Administrator Leadership Award shall require:

  • Nominee to be a CASE member
  • One nominator with one additional letter of recommendation. These two individuals shall both be CASE members. There should be a letter from both:
    • A teacher in the classroom and/or leadership position and
    • A Site or district administrator, informal science educator, or a member of the CA NGSS Collaborative (California Department of Education, California County Superintendents Educational Services Association/County Offices of Education, K-12 Alliance @WestEd, California Science Project, and the California Science Teachers Association)

A completed Nomination Form which includes:

  • Name of nominee
  • School or institution address of nominee
  • School or office telephone number of nominee
  • Home address of nominee
  • Home telephone number of nominee
  • Name, address, and phone number of nominating CASE member

The letter of support shall include the following elements:

  • Specific examples of service to science education
  • Specific examples of leadership in science
  • Specific examples of commitment to excellence in science education
  • Specific examples of professional involvement in science
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Jessica Sawko Teacher Leadership Award

The Jessica Sawko Teacher Leadership Award, is named for CASE's former executive director, Jessica Sawko. Jessica served as CASE's executive director 2011-2019. Under her guidance, CASE dedicated numerous efforts to support teachers in district leadership positions. In 2019, the CASE Board of Directors established the Jessica Sawko Teacher leadership Award to honor her service to promote high quality science education. This award honors a teacher instructional coach, teacher on special assignment, or similarly designated role at the district level who has made a significant contribution to improve the quality of science education within their district and who, through their leadership and service in coaching, facilitating, and providing professional learning, has truly made a positive impact on the quality of science teaching.
Award Criteria/Nomination Requirements

The Jessica Sawko Teacher Leadership Award shall require:

  • Nominee to be a CASE member
  • One nominator with one additional letter of recommendation. These two individuals shall both be CASE members. There should be a letter from both:
    • A Classroom teacher and
    • A Site or district administrator, informal science educator, or a member of the CA NGSS Collaborative (California Department of Education, California County Superintendents Educational Services Association/County Offices of Education, K-12 Alliance @WestEd, California Science Project, and the California Science Teachers Association).

A completed Nomination Form which includes:

  • Name of nominee
  • School or institution address of nominee
  • School or office telephone number of nominee
  • Home address of nominee
  • Home telephone number of nominee
  • Name, address, and phone number of nominating CASE member

The Letter of Support shall include the following elements:

  • Specific examples of service to science education
  • Specific examples of leadership in science
  • Specific examples of commitment to excellence in science education
  • Specific examples of professional involvement in science
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Margaret Nicholson Distinguished Service Award

The Margaret Nicholson Distinguished Service Award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution to science education in the state and who, through years of leadership and service, has truly made a positive impact on the quality of science teaching.
Award Criteria/Nomination Requirements
The Margaret Nicholson Distinguished Service Award shall require:
  • Both nominee and nominator must be current CASE members.
A completed Nomination Form which includes:
  • Name of nominee
  • School or institution address of nominee
  • School or office telephone number of nominee
  • Home address of nominee
  • Home telephone number of nominee
  • Name, address, and phone number of nominating CASE member
The Letter of Support shall include the following elements:
  • Specific examples of service to science education
  • Specific examples of leadership in science
  • Specific examples of commitment to excellence in science education
  • Specific examples of professional involvement in science
  • Longevity of contributions and participation in science education and CASE
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CASE Teacher of the Year Award

The CASE Teacher of the Year awards recognize ongoing excellence in the teaching of science and a commitment to the improvement of science education at any level. Awardees will be selected based on their ability to motivate student achievement and excitement in science, community and administrative support, and overall contributions to the profession. Teacher of the Year Awards are available in the following categories:

  • Primary (K-2) Teacher of the Year
  • Upper Elementary (3-5) Teacher of the Year
  • Middle School/Jr High Teacher of the Year
  • High School Teacher of the Year
  • Post Secondary Teacher of the Year
Award Criteria/Nomination Requirements

The Teacher of the Year Award shall require:

  • Nominee must be a current certificated teacher (K-12 or Post-Secondary)
  • Nominee must have at least 4 years of teaching experience in the category for which they are nominated
  • Nominator must be a current CASE member
  • Two letters of recommendation must be from both:
    • the nominator;
    • a school administrator, classroom teacher, and/or peer

A completed Nomination Form which includes:

  • Name of nominee
  • Nominee grade-level (K-12; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12; or Post-Secondary)
  • School or institution address of nominee
  • School or office telephone number of nominee
  • Home address of nominee
  • Home telephone number of nominee
  • Name, address, and phone number of nominating CASE member

The letter of support shall include the following elements:

  • Specific examples of service to teaching science education
  • Specific examples of motivating student achievement in science education
  • Specific examples of commitment to excellence in their profession
  • Specific examples of professional involvement in their profession
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CASE Future Science Teacher Award

The CASE Future Science Teacher Award recognizes college students who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to science education through volunteer, teaching, and professional organization activities and who show promise to become outstanding science educators. No more than two Future Science Teacher Awards will be awarded in any year.
Award Criteria/Nomination Requirements
The CASE Future Science Teacher Recognition Awards shall require:
  • The nominator to be a current CASE member.
  • The nominee must be a student enrolled in a teacher education program.
A completed Nomination Form which includes the following information:
  • Name of nominee
  • School or institution nominee is attending
  • School or office telephone number of nominee
  • Home address of nominee
  • Home telephone number of nominee
  • Name, address, and phone number of nominating CASE member
A letter of endorsement from the nominator addressing the following elements:
  • Description of his/her commitment to science education
  • Volunteer and/or teaching activities within a school setting
  • Volunteer activity in a museum, nature center, or related organization
  • Her/his long-term career goals
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CASE Distinguished Contributions Award

The CASE Distinguished Contributions Award honors an organization, institution or foundation which has made a sustained, significant impact to science education in the state and which, through years of leadership and service, has truly made a positive impact on the quality of science teaching and learning. No more than two CASE Distinguished Contributions Awards will be given in any year.
Award Criteria/Nomination Requirements
The CASE Distinguished Contributions Award honors an organization, institution or foundation which has made a sustained, significant impact to science education in the state and which, through years of leadership and service, has truly made a positive impact on the quality of science teaching and learning. No more than two CASE Distinguished Contributions Awards will be given in any year.

The CASE Distinguished Contributions Award shall require:
  • The nominator to be a current CASE member.
A completed Nomination Form which includes:
  • Name of nominee
  • School, institution, or foundation address of nominee
  • Telephone number of nominee
  • Address of nominee
  • Name, address, and phone number of nominating CASE member

A Letter of Support from each nominator, submitted with the Nomination Form for the nominee. The Letter(s) of Support shall include the following elements:

  • Specific examples of service to science education
  • Specific examples of commitment to excellence in science education
  • Specific examples of professional involvement in science education
  • Evidence that contributions to science education have been sustained
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The following Awards below are nominated and bestowed by the Board of Directors

Christine Bertrand Advocacy Award

Christine Bertrand Advocacy Award is named for CASE's former executive director Christine Bertrand. Christine served as CASE's executive director 1996-2011. Under her leadership CASE achieved many advocacy victories for science education. In 2015, the CASE Board of Directors established the Christine Bertrand Advocacy Award to honor her service to science education. The award honors individual(s) who demonstrate a commitment to quality science education in California, going beyond expected levels of involvement. The award recognizes outstanding advocacy and championing of quality science education. Nominated and bestowed by the Board of Directors, no more than two awards will be given per year.


Legislator of the Year Award

Legislator of the Year Award is an award bestowed by the CASE Board of Directors to recognize legislators who have been supportive of high quality science education in California.


Honorary Memberships

Honorary Memberships were established by the board of directors to recognize those individuals who may not be science educators and through their work and efforts contribute to the body of science knowledge and serve to ignite interest in science. Honorary membership is a life time membership and carries with it all the rights of membership except voting rights.
  • 1-Year Membership
  • $30
  • 1-Year Membership ($60 value)
  • Enjoy a full year of CASE membership
  • Join Online
  • New Teacher
  • $20
  • New Teacher Membership ($35 value)
  • For teachers in their 1st or 2nd year of Teaching
  • Join Online
  • Retired Teacher
  • $20
  • Retired Teacher Membership ($40 value)
  • Thank you for your service and continued support!
  • Join Online
  • Preservice Teacher
  • $10
  • Preservice Teacher ($35 value)
  • Preservice - Available only to undergraduate and credential students.
  • Join Online