AWARDS OVERVIEW
OATA and NAAE recognize outstanding teachers and programs in many ways. Award nomination applications are accepted at OATA Summer Conference and at the Oregon FFA State Convention, depending on the application. In order to apply, a teacher must be an OATA/NAAE member.
State-winning applications in many areas move on to the regional competition. State winners' applications are due May 15 yearly to NAAE for regional judging unless otherwise noted - see links below for details.
OATA Award Submission Links:
Submission link for awards due March 1, 2026
Submission link for all awards due June 1, 2026
COVER PAGES
OATA has one cover page for the following Award Areas:
- Outstanding Early Career Teacher
- Outstanding Agriculture Teacher
- Secondary/Middle School Award
- Postsecondary/Adult Education Award
- Teacher Mentor
- Teacher Turn the Key
Download the fillable form Cover Page here. The requirements for Narrative and Supporting documents are unchanged. Be sure to check the page limit for your award category. Applications that exceed the page limit will not be evaluated beyond the specified maximum. State-level applications will be submitted electronically via the provided link.
AWARD AREAS
Outstanding Administrator Award
This award is for you to nominate and recognize administrators who have been long-time supporters of agricultural education.
Applications are due electronically via submission link by March 1. The recipient is invited to attend the following OATA Summer Conference and be recognized at the awards banquet.
Click here for the application
Click here for application scoring rubric
"Teachers Turn the Key" Award Scholarship
The Teachers Turn the Key professional development program focuses on providing early-career agricultural educators with the tools and support they need to grow and flourish in the profession. Participants are challenged to improve their teaching and classroom management, develop time management skills, and immerse themselves in professional development activities that will support their professional goals.
The TTTK program is open for teachers in years 2-4. State winners attend the National NAAE Convention and participate in a specialized program for early career teachers.
Applications are due electronically via submission link by March 1.
Click here for the application
Click here for application scoring rubric
Outstanding Agriculture Teacher Award
This award recognizes an agricultural teacher’s role in shaping the future and honors their contributions to developing the next generation of citizens and agricultural leaders. Recipients are recognized for their program development innovation as well as their commitment to lifelong learning. Each applicant must have been a NAAE member the five (5) previous years or continuously since the applicant began teaching. The Outstanding Agriculture Teacher Award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company.
Applications are due electronically via submission link by June 1.
Click here for the application information
Click here for application scoring rubric
Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award
The NAAE Outstanding Early Career Teacher award recognizes beginning educators, fostering their growth, and celebrating their professional engagement. Early career NAAE members are the foundation of our organization, and this award looks to celebrate their accomplishments and support them throughout their careers. Each applicant must have been a NAAE member the three (3) previous years or continuously since the applicant began teaching.
Applications are due electronically via submission link by June 1.
Click here for the application information
Click here for application scoring rubric
Outstanding Secondary/Middle School Program Award
The Outstanding Middle/Secondary School Ag Ed Program Award seeks to recognize agriculture programs at the middle and high school level that are creating boundless classrooms and providing limitless learning for their students. The award specifically highlights the achievements and growth of the program over the last five years.
Applications are due electronically via submission link by June 1.
Click here for the application information
Click here for application scoring rubric
Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Program Award
Honors postsecondary institutions, farm business management programs, full-time young farmer and adult agricultural education programs who are developing humble leaders energized by shaping the future of agriculture one student or adult at a time. This application should highlight the growth and successes of the program over the last five years.
Applications are due electronically via submission link by June 1.
Click here for the application
Click here for application scoring rubric
Teacher Mentor
The NAAE Teacher Mentor awards embodies the profound impact of “Leading and Learning Together”. The motivation to an agriculture teacher's career choices can be traced back to the influence of an exceptional mentor. Recognizing a pivotal role of a mentor, numerous state associations have established formal frameworks fostering positive relationships between experienced and beginning teachers as well as in-service teachers. This award program honors those NAAE members who have committed their time and expertise to supporting and celebrating other teachers in the profession. Even though much focus is given to beginning teacher mentoring, mentoring becomes a part of lifelong learning, and this award also highlights those teachers that dedicate their career to advancing our profession through mentoring on all levels including experienced teachers. The Teacher Mentor Award is sponsored by iCEV.
Applications are due electronically via submission link by June 1.
Click here for the application
Click here for application scoring rubric
Ideas Unlimited
Ideas Unlimited allows teachers to share great ideas they've developed for their classroom, FFA chapter, or SAE programs. For Oregon, no application is needed - share ideas during Summer Conference at the Ideas Unlimited Session. Upload your materials to the designated folder in the Advisor Drive and be ready to present your idea at Summer Conference—voting will open to all members following the presentations. State winners will receive paid registration costs to attend the next Region I conference.
For state winners ONLY - see the NAAE application
IMPACT AWARDS
Outstanding Service Citation
The NAAE Outstanding Service Award recognizes experienced agricultural educators who have made significant contributions to agricultural education by supporting teachers and students on the local, state, region, and/or national level. These humble leaders have spent their careers energized by the responsibility of shaping the future one student at a time. Each applicant must have been a NAAE member the ten (10) previous years or continuously since the applicant began teaching. At the national level, NAAE members must at least be in their twentieth (20th) year of teaching agriculture at the time they apply to NAAE.
Applications are due electronically via submission link by June 1
Click here for the application
Click here for application scoring rubric
Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognizes retired agricultural educators who have made significant contributions by providing visionary leadership, advocacy and service to our profession. These leaders have spent a career dedicated to students, our profession and growing our organization.
Applications are due electronically via submission link by June 1
Click here for the application
Click here for application scoring rubric
Visionary Impact Award
Recognizes administrators, businesses, and organizations who have made significant contributions related to agricultural education that have led to the improvement, promotion, development, and progress of agricultural education.
Applications are due electronically via submission link by June 1
Click here for the application