AWARDS, HONORS, AND GRANTS

The Association for Childhood Education International offers a variety of grants and awards. All eligible ACEI members and Branches are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities.

Jacqueline Blackwell Adopt A Teacher Program
The Adopt A Teacher Program recognizes and supports the work of ACEI members who are teachers of children, youth, college interns or teachers. Through this formal arrangement, an ACEI member initiates a "special adoption" of a teacher in his or her local area. Each selected teacher will receive $500 (U.S. currency) at next ACEI Annual Conference.

Using the suggestions and questions outlined in the Adopt A Teacher Program, the adopter and adoptee will create a written agreement that demonstrates how this team will work together during the current academic year. The agreement also will include a section that highlights how children, youth, college interns, or families will benefit from this formal agreement.

Outstanding Member Service Award
This prestigious award recognizes the outstanding contributions made by an ACEI member to the betterment of children, the field of education, and ACEI. Winners, approved by the Executive Board, are recognized at the Annual Conference Business Meeting. The deadline for nominations is February 15. Click here for an application form. Note: This award should not be confused with similar awards that ACEI Branches bestow to recognize the accomplishments of local members.

Elizabeth Breathwaite Mini-Grant
Two mini-grants of $500 each are available annually to ACEI members for the implementation of outstanding educational experiences for children. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of quality and importance to children's education. Funded proposals must be described in an article to be published by ACEI or presented at the Annual Conference. Priority will be given to those who have not been awarded a grant in the past three years. Project proposals, including a description and potential outcomes, must reach ACEI Headquarters by February 15. Click here for an application form.

Elizabeth Breathwaite Student Leadership Award
Student Leadership Awards ($300) are available to college students who are ACEI members. The award must be used to help defray the costs of attending the Annual Conference. In addition, the awardees' conference registration fee will be waived. Winners are recognized in the ACEI Exchange, as well as at the conference. Criteria to select finalists include: evidence of leadership and participation in professional, social and civic activities; school activities; letters of recommendatio; interest in teaching or child-related occupations; and ACEI activities. Application deadline: November 15. Click here for guidelines to see if you qualify for this award and to obtain an application form.

ACEI Friends of Children Award
This award was established to honor a non ACEI member who works outside the field of education, whose work has had a significant impact on the quality of life of children, and who demonstrates a commitment to children on a national or international level. Nominations should be submitted by an ACEI member to Headquarters by February 15. This award will be presented at the Annual Conference. Click here for an application form and guidelines.

Nancy Bartlett Hitch Student Scholarship Award
This award was established to help deserving students have additional opportunities for personal and professional growth. It is intended to honor both those who have made outstanding contributions to the development and extension of ACEI, as well as those who have made contributions to the advancement of children's education. Application deadline: November 15. Click here for guidelines to see if you qualify for this award and to obtain an application form.

Patty Smith Hill Award
This award is intended to recognize one truly outstanding ACEI member each year who has contributed significantly to the betterment of ACEI and children. Final selection is made by the Executive Board. The qualifications include membership in ACEI for 20 years or more; exemplary, consistent contributions to the organization; and achievements in the field of childhood education that have brought recognition to ACEI. Required nomination materials include: a letter of nomination, current curriculum vitae, and a summary of contributions to ACEI. The winner will be announced at the Annual Conference. This award may be presented posthumously. Nomination deadline: February 15. Click here for a form and guidelines.

Roll of Honor
Deceased ACEI members who served the Association with distinction and contributed significantly to the betterment of children can be nominated to have their names inscribe on the Roll of Honor and included in the Book of Remembrances. To nominate an individual, please submit a contribution to the ACEI Memorial Endowment Fund, a letter of intent, and a completed recommendation form to ACEI Headquarters. Nominees are approved by the Executive Board. Click here for an application form.

ACEI Branch Awards and Grants Deadlines

All award submissions for consideration must be made by March 15.
Submissions are reviewed at the ACEI Annual Conference.
Winners are announced at the Annual Conference Business Meeting.
Judges include staff from the Membership Department and one member from the President's Council, Membership and Program Development Committees. (If a submission is from a Branch that one of the judges belongs to, that judge will be excluded from judging.)
Winners will be recognized in the ACEI Exchange.
Winners receive a Certificate of Recognition and a check for $200 to be used to promote future Branch programs (Branch Development Grant is $150 and Local Conference Grant is $1,000).
Entries can only be applied to one award.
Projects and activities must be described in writing.
Sample materials (where applicable) are required as supplement to the write-ups.
All Branch annual reports must be submitted.
Contact the Director of Branch Development & Communications with questions.

Best Professional Development Workshop/ Conference Award
For the Branch that holds the best professional development workshop or conference. Presentations must focus on education topics or professional development (e.g., stress management). Judges evaluate content, creativity, and attendance. The judges also take into account the size of the Branch's membership. A write-up is required.

Best Use of ACEI Materials Award
Given to the Branch that makes the best use of ACEI materials— e.g., annual reports, membership rosters, mailing labels, journals, newsletters, member profile cards, conference announcements, postcards, logos, or Branch manual materials. Branches must report how they used the materials to promote ACEI.

Branch Excellence Award
Presented to the Branch that meets the following criteria, 1) Annual Branch and Financial Reports submitted to ACEI by July 15; 2) Officers' Rosters submitted within one month of the election of new officers; 3) Article submitted to "Branches in Action" in the ACEI Exchange; 4) increase in branch membership during previous year; 5) Branch hosts, sponsors, or participates in at least one event that directly benefits children and/ or teachers.
ACEI Headquarters staff tracks the progress of each Branch. All Branches that meet these criteria will win this award and be given a certificate and a $200 prize. Selection is based on the date Annual Reports are received by Headquarters.

Best Publicity Award
For the Branch that demonstrates the best use of a press release or flier and receives the most coverage by the local media. Branches must submit copies of press releases or fliers, as well as newspaper clippings, and a brief write-up explaining why their Branch deserves the award.

Best Communications Award
For the Branch that best communicates with its membership through newsletters, telephone calls, letters, etc. Branches must submit a brief write-up describing their activities.

Best "Global Focus" Award
Given to the Branch that implements a project to foster better global awareness. For example, a Branch could adopt a "sister" Branch in another country, sponsor a new member overseas, or share information on education issues of mutual concern to those in another country. A write-up of the project is required to qualify.

Best Mentor Program
The award is applicable to any mentoring program that a Branch conducts that directly benefits children or assists a college student or first-year teacher. A write-up describing the program is required.

Best Fundraiser Award
In recognition of the Branch that holds the most successful fundraiser. Money raised must stem from an original idea; i.e., the Branch cannot sell ACEI Publications to qualify. A write-up describing the event and how much money was raised is required.

Best New Branch Award
Did you start a new student or professional Branch this year? If so, your Branch may qualify for this award. New Branches are evaluated on the basis of a 12-month period, and the Branch with the most new members wins. It's that easy! Headquarters will verify membership counts.

Best Children's Event/ Community Service
Presented to the Branch that sponsors the best event that directly benefits children. Judges take into consideration the creativity of the event and children's attendance. A write-up is required.

State/ Province and Local Branch Awards

Outstanding Branch Member Service Award
Branches may nominate one member each year who has significantly helped to strengthen ACEI and, in doing so, has contributed to the betterment of children and the professionals who work with them. For more information, and/or an application, please contact ACEI's Branch Relations Manager.

Branch Development Grant
This $150 grant provides seed money to assist ACEI affiliates at the Branch level in starting or revitalizing a Branch. New Branches will be issued the grant automatically upon receipt of their constitution and officers' roster.

Local Conference Grant
In keeping with ACEI's commitment to supporting State and Local Branches, this $1,000 grant will provide seed money for Branches that are in good standing with ACEI to implement a State or Local Conference. Priority will be given to those applicants who have not been awarded a grant in the past three years. Applications need to be received at Headquarters by February 15. Applicants will be notified by June 30. Grants will be distributed to successful applicants by August 1. Final selection will be made by the ACEI Awards Committee.

International Development Fund Grant
Provides money to those wanting to start or revitalize an ACEI Branch outside the USA. Applicants must demonstrate potential for Branch development and growth. All Branch activities that use IDF grant money must be in full support of ACEI's mission and philosophy and also serve to attract new members. Completed applications should be sent to ACEI Headquarters by March 15, along with any supporting documentation. To be considered for a grant, an applicant must submit to ACEI Headquarters an official Branch charter, list of officers, and a list of other Branch members. These materials can be submitted at the same time that you mail your IDF application. If you need help, contact ACEI Headquarters for a Branch Start-Up Kit and sample Branch Constitution. The ACEI Executive Board will determine which applicants will be awarded an IDF grant. Awarded Grants may be up to $1,000. Click here for guidelines and an application form.

Presidents' Council Awards/Grants

Outstanding college students can apply for a $100 grant to help them defray their expenses at the Annual Conference.

For details and application information, please contact ACEI Headquarters.

Association for Childhood Education International
17904 Georgia Avenue, Suite 215
Olney, MD 20832 U.S.A.

(301) 570-2111 * 1(800) 423-3563 * FAX (301) 570-2212 * E-mail: aceihq@aol.com

Return to ACEI home page.