The VFW will recognize and honor the top Elementary (K-5), Junior High (6-8), and High School (9-12) teacher of the year, who teaches citizenship and education topics, and promotes America’s history, traditions, and institutions.  Attributes considered will be the scope of the teaching on both the students and the community.

Fellow teachers, supervisors, or any other interested individual may submit nominations.  Self-submitted nominations are not accepted.  

The nominating individual must submit the nominated teacher’s name on the completed VFW Teacher Nomination Form.  Included with the form a 350 word or less description of why the nominee should be selected.  Describe the teacher’s innovative teaching and resource development methods, as well as his/her dedication to teaching.  Submit these to the local VFW Post no later than October 31, 2018.

Post Commander/Chairman will complete the application by ensuring that the following items are included. This is a must list (without all six items, the application will be considered incomplete, and will not be judged).

• Original VFW Teacher Nomination Form
• Description of teacher’s methods/accomplishments(350 words or less)
• National Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Advancement Form (Below)
• One page resume (may use both sides)
• Do Not Exceed five 8 ½ x 11 pages of documentation.   
• Good quality head and shoulder photograph. wallet size.

NOTE to Post Commanders/Chairmen: The above items must be included exactly as stated or your entry may be returned or even disqualified at the District level.

Only one nominee will be selected from each of the three categories.  Selected applications must be forwarded to District to arrive no later than November 15, 2018.

District will then judge and select only one nominee in each of the three categories. 

District Commander/Chairman will complete the District portion of the "National Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Advancement" Form.

Selected Post Teacher Entry Forms will be forwarded directly to the Department Chairman. Deadline for receipt of District entries to the Department Chairman is December 7, 2018.  Applications must include all of the above items.  Only entries from the District Commander or District Chairman will be accepted at the Department level. District must include National Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Advancement Form. This is to assure that all participating Posts receive credit.

NOTE to District Chairman: It is your responsibility to ensure that Posts have included all six items described above and that they are as specified.  If you do not receive the proper documents from Posts, send them back to the Post for correction. DO NOT pass them on to Department.

It is also your responsibility to ensure the District Teacher of the Year Award Report Form is filled out properly and submitted to Department. If the above requirements are not met it could result in the disqualification of your Districts entry.

Post - Received no later than October 31, 2018

District - Received no later than November 15, 2018

State - Received no later than December 7, 2018

One winner only in each category (elementary, junior high, high school) will be awarded the following at our Mid-Winter Conference 

• Glass Apple
• Plaque
• Teacher of the year Jacket
• $500.00 Award Check.

Five (5) points will be awarded in the All-State program for each category if a Post sponsors or co-sponsors a teacher for judging.  The District Chairpersons must report all Posts that submitted entries to the Department Director.

See reports & forms page on the department website at www.vfwmi.org for documents on this program.

- Forms - 

3213 Clement St  -  Flint, MI 49504

801-309-6427

7901 Backus Rd  -  Greenville, MI 48838

616-902-5877

22232 P Drive  -  Homer, MI 49245

517-652-4507