How to nominate an individual or team for a Premier’s Award for Excellence in Education

The Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education are open to individuals currently working in the public, independent or First Nations school systems in British Columbia. 

You can nominate an individual for an award in one of two ways – web form (easiest) or e-mail.  

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Last updated: April 14, 2023

On this page:

• Eligibility criteria
• Nomination process
• Letter of support

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Eligibility criteria

Each nominee must meet the eligibility criteria specified for each category, in addition to the following:

• Nominees must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• For categories requiring a B.C. teaching certificate, the nominee’s certificate must be in good standing. Note: We reserve the right to withdraw the nomination if the nominee ceases to hold a teaching certificate or it is cancelled or relinquished between the time of nomination and the award presentation. 

Nomination process

1. Choose the appropriate award category
   There are ten award categories. Based on the criteria, choose the category that best describes/fits the individual(s) or team you are nominating.
    
2. Get permission from your nominee(s) and provide permission yourself
   Nominees and nominators need to complete and sign a Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education Consent and Release Form for Personal Information as part of the nomination package.
   • Nominee Consent form (PDF)
   • Nominator and Third Party Consent and Release Form (PDF)
      
3. Find a trusted reference to support your nomination 
   This individual should have direct knowledge of the nominee’s accomplishments and, if contacted by someone on the judging panel, be willing to provide a brief explanation as to why the nominee is a good candidate to receive the award for which they are nominated.
   
   For Teaching, District Leadership and School Leadership Awards:
   References must be a principal or vice-principal, director of instruction, superintendent or mayor.
   
   For Outstanding Support Awards:
   References must be a teacher, principal or vice-principal, superintendent, direct supervisor, co-worker or parent in the school community.
   
   References cannot be a nominee's immediate family member
   Immediate family is defined as the nominee’s father, mother (or alternatively stepfather, stepmother, or foster parent), brother, sister (including step- or half-sibling), spouse (including common-law partner), child (including child of common-law partner), stepchild or ward of the employee, grand-parent, grandchild, father-in-law, mother-in-law, and relative permanently residing in the employee’s household or with whom the employee permanently resides.

4. Get permission from your reference 
   The reference supporting your nomination will need to provide us with permission to use their information. Have your reference complete and sign the Nominator and Third Party Consent form (PDF).

5. Get permission from your Superintendent, Head of School/Independent School Principal or First Nations School Principal  
   The individual must be aware of and in support of your nomination.
    
6. Write your nomination letter explaining why your nominee(s) deserves a Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education​ 

• Your letter should help the adjudication and judging panels understand your candidate’s strengths. The letter should be no more than two pages long, no smaller than 12 pt. font and must be dated and signed.
• This letter should demonstrate a nominee’s positive impact on students and provide evidence of the nominee’s excellence and achievements under all the selection criteria listed for a specific category.   

  7. ​Complete the nomination in one of two ways 

1. Complete the nomination web form (easiest)

2. Email the nomination form and a letter of support to excellenceineducation@gov.bc.ca

If you’re submitting a nomination package by e-mail, please review the nomination package checklist before you send to ensure your submission is complete.

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