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Application Overview: Excellence in Early Childhood Education K-3rd Grade

Congratulations on your nomination for the TN Early Educator Awards!  YOU ROCK!!!!!

Here’s a quick glance at the application questions. We’re providing this so you can see the whole thing at once – because on the application itself the questions are mostly one per page. (You’ll see what we mean). So take a look below then head back to your personal application link and get started!

Section 1: Basic Information 

This section includes some basic information about you, your employment history, and some names of references whom we’ll contact to confirm your employment and great work.

Section 2: Questions on the 5 primary selection criteria 

These questions will help us understand your skills in supporting the development and learning of children in kindergarten through third grade.  Our reviewers will consider the following as they read your answers:

  1. Applicant demonstrates expertise in early elementary curriculum and instruction
  2. Applicant promotes the advancement of students’ early literacy and early math skills
  3. Applicant creates inclusive learning environments for diverse learners
  4. Applicant integrates academic, play-based, and social-emotional learning
  5. Applicant uses assessment data to inform instruction and support individual student growth

💡Tip: Aim for 175 – 200 words or so per answer; but there’s no penalty for shorter or longer answers.

Early elementary curriculum and instruction 

How do you integrate learning across multiple domains: language/literacy, math, social studies, science, technology, and the arts? Provide a specific example of an interdisciplinary lesson or learning experience you implemented.

Early literacy and math skills 

What specific instructional strategies do you use to teach early literacy and early math skills tied to grade level standards? Provide at least two specific examples (one each for math and literacy) of implementing these strategies.

Inclusive learning environments 

What teaching strategies do you use to differentiate instruction for students with diverse needs, interests, and backgrounds? Provide at least one specific example of implementing one of these strategies.

Academic, play-based, and social-emotional learning 

How do you support the development of children’s self-regulation skills (self-control, flexible thinking, emotional regulation, appropriate behavior) in your daily classroom teaching and routines?  Provide at least one specific example.

Assessment data 

How do you use assessment data to differentiate instruction and support individual student growth?  Provide at least one specific example.

Section 3: Love of teaching questions 

💡Tip: Aim for 175 – 200 words or so per answer; but there’s no penalty for shorter or longer answers.

What has given you the most joy in teaching?  Include a specific example of a situation that brought you that joy.

Ok let’s get started! Head back now to your own personal application link. Reminder: It’s in the email to you from Jenny@tqee.org via Survey Monkey.

Due no later than 11:59p, CST on Friday July 11th..     Now let your AWESOMENESS shine!

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