Teaching Awards

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The teaching awards were established by the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Minister of Education in 2021 to acknowledge the leadership role that educators play in the lives of students.

The Premier’s Award for Innovation in Teaching honours outstanding K-12 teachers in all disciplines who have demonstrated innovation in instruction and a commitment to preparing their students for future success.

The Minister’s Award for Compassion in Teaching recognizes inspirational and compassionate K-12 teachers who have gone above and beyond to support the social, emotional and mental well-being of their students, colleagues or school community as a whole.

Selection Criteria

Premier’s Award for Innovation in Teaching

The Premier’s Award for Innovation in Teaching honours outstanding K-12 teachers in all disciplines who have demonstrated innovation in instruction and a commitment to engaging and preparing their students for future success.

Nomination forms should give examples of how the teacher:

  • Improves student success and engagement.
  • Demonstrates leadership.
  • Uses innovative approaches to instruction in the classroom

Read about last year’s award recipients here.

Minister’s Award for Compassion in Teaching

The Minister’s Award for Compassion in Teaching recognizes inspirational and compassionate K-12 teachers who have gone above and beyond to support the social, emotional, and mental well-being of their students, colleagues, or school community.

Nomination forms should give examples of how the teacher:

  • Improves student success and engagement.
  • Fosters respectful relationships and partnerships.
  • Supports the well-being of the school community through teaching and learning.
  • Demonstrates leadership.
  • Promotes safe, inclusive, and equitable spaces in the school environment.

Read about last year’s award recipients here.

Guidelines

Nominations for the 2026 teaching awards must be submitted by June 26, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Late entries will not be considered.

Who is eligible?

  • Certified teachers (including non-retired substitute teachers) at the primary, elementary or secondary level.
  • Teachers must be employed in an English or French K-12 public school in Newfoundland and Labrador (inclusive of First Nations schools on reserve)
  • The selection committee will consider regional representation in the selection of award winners (Eastern; Central, Western; Labrador, and the Francophone school district.)

Who Can Nominate?

Nominators may be any person or group with direct knowledge of the nominee’s contribution, such as:

  • Student
  • Parent/caregiver
  • Colleague
  • School administrator or supervisor

Self-nominations or nominations from immediate family members will not be accepted.

What do recipients receive?

  • The Premier and/or Minister will present the awards to the recipients at a special ceremony in St. John’s in fall of 2026. Award recipients will receive travel support to attend the ceremony.
  • A plaque/award from the Premier or Minister of Education, depending on the award.
  • Promotion of their best teaching practices.
  • Provincial recognition for their contribution to excellence in education in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Nominate a Teacher

Nominators need to submit a nomination package that includes:

  • A completed and signed nomination form (available in pdf and word), including a description that will outline how the teacher meets the selection criteria.
  • A signed letter of support from the nominee’s principal or supervisor.
  • Optional: 1 -2 letter(s)/testimonial(s) of support (see nomination form).

Submitting Nominations

Nominations can be sent by email:

  • Email submissions can be sent to teachersawards@gov.nl.ca by June 26, 2026 at 11:59p.m. The total file size cannot exceed 20MB. After submitting the nomination, you will receive a confirmation email.

Past Recipients

Recipients of 2024 Teaching Awards