Welcome to the TN Early Educator Awards home page!
The 2024 nomination window is now closed. Thank you, Tennessee, for nearly 2000 nominations! We look forward to announcing the winners in late October!
First annual TN Early Educator Awards
TQEE is thrilled to announce the launch of the first annual Tennessee Early Educator Awards. These awards aim to honor exceptional early childhood educators, elevate the early childhood education profession, and highlight the critical role high-quality early education plays for Tennessee’s children, families, and communities.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the award, an early educator must:
- Be currently employed full-time in Tennessee, caring for and teaching children:
- Within the birth through preschool age range in a regulated center, family child care home, or school-based program
- OR within grades K-3 at a state-accredited public or charter school
- Have been an early childhood educator for three or more years
- Demonstrate a passion for teaching, love of children, and respectful engagement with parents and families.
Awards and Prizes!
The awards will recognize 20 outstanding early educators across the state, with 10 awards in each of the following categories:
- Birth through Preschool; and
- Kindergarten through 3rd Grade.
Awards will be announced in late October.
Each of the 20 awardees will receive a $1,000 cash prize, a shopping spree at Lakeshore Learning, and an all expenses paid trip to Nashville.
Nominations
The nominations window is now closed.
Thank you Tennessee for nearly 2000 nominations!
All qualifying nominees have been invited by email to submit an application. Applications will be reviewed by a selection team comprised of early childhood care and education experts from across the state. Awardees will be announced in late October.
Award Sponsors
We are grateful for our sponsors making these awards possible. This year’s presenting sponsor is Lakeshore Learning.
Our supporting sponsors include:
