Deadline: January 15, 2025
Applications are open for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and Teaching Excellence in STEM 2025. The Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence have recognized exceptional elementary and secondary school teachers in all disciplines since 1994, with over 1,800 teachers honoured to date.
The Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence: These awards honour outstanding and innovative elementary and secondary school teachers in all disciplines for their remarkable educational achievements and for their commitment to preparing youth for a digital and innovation‑based economy.
The Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence in STEM: These awards recognize inspirational Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teachers at the elementary or secondary school level who keep students engaged in STEM learning and who help develop the culture of innovation that Canada needs today, and in the future.
Award
Teachers are eligible for two awards:
- The national Certificate of Excellence
- Recipients are traditionally invited to Ottawa to receive their award from the Prime Minister or his designate.
- Recipients receive a certificate and letter of congratulations from the Prime Minister.
- Each recipient’s school also receives a certificate.
- The regional Certificate of Achievement
- Recipients are traditionally honoured locally at school events and receive their award from their Member of Parliament or local leader.
- Recipients receive a certificate and letter of congratulations from the Prime Minister.
- Each recipient’s school also receives a certificate.
Eligibility
- Open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
- Certified teachers at an elementary or secondary school in Canada;
- Candidates who have taught the equivalent of 2.5 days per week in a classroom setting for at least three years.
- Nominees must not be past Certificate of Excellence recipients.
Nomination
Nominators need to submit a detailed nomination package that includes:
- A completed and signed nomination form.
- A detailed nomination text that demonstrates how the teacher meets each of the five selection criteria.
- Three letters of support from individuals who are familiar with the nominee and the work they do as a successful teacher.
- Supporting documentation that confirms the teacher’s eligibility:
- A copy of the nominee’s teaching certificate.
- A statement of employment signed by the nominee’s principal confirming that the nominee has worked at least 2.5 days per week in a classroom setting for a minimum of three years, and that their teaching certification remains in good standing.
For more information, visit Prime Minister’s Awards.
