PDK CHAPTER AWARDS

As listed in the PDK handbook on pages 35-36, the objectives of an awards and recognition program is to provide multiple benefits to the chapter, to individuals Kappans, and to the education community. Awards can be presented in some of the following categories.

Chapter Visibility - Recognizes elements that contribute to the total educational environment to identify itself with excellence in education.
Membership Participation - Gives chapters a way to involve members who are not officers in the operation of chapter business.
Meeting Attendance - Increased member participation also encourages meeting attendance. By spreading responsibilities over more members, chapter provides opportunities for more people to receive recognition for their contributions. It also invites non-members to learn about PDK and promotes attendance by all segments of the membership.
Promotion of Education - A comprehensive awards program, when properly publicized, provides positive visibility for education in the community. It is an excellent opportunity for PDK to highlight the good news of education and recognize those responsible.

Listed below are some suggested award categories

Lay Awards
Contributions to local educational programs by non-educators, boards of education, religious leaders, public or private groups, businesses, and civic officials. These groups usually support education.

Outstanding School Volunteer

Citizen of the Year in Education

Advocate for the Public Schools

Distinguished Service to Education

Unsung Hero

Partner in Education

Service to Education

Friend of Education

Community Education Award

Excellence in Education Journalism

Professional Awards
Every Chapter should recognize outstanding contributions made by local professional educators and are open to all Kappans and non-members at all levels of the profession.

Educator of the Year or Teacher of the Year

Outstanding Adult Educator

Student Teacher of the Year

Retiring Teacher of the Year

Outstanding First-Year Teacher

Educational Leadership

Research in Education

Classroom Excellence

Innovative Teacher of the Year

Outstanding Educational Program

Phi Delta Kappa Awards

Recognizes members contributions for leadership, research and service to the local chapter, PDK International, and education. Supports the mission and pledge of PDK after initiation.

Service Key

Longevity Awards for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 .. years of membership.

Kappan of the Year

Outstanding Member Recruitment

Walden University Officer's Commendation

PDK Pyramid Award (in Leadership, service, and Research)

Volunteer of the Year'

Distinguished Kappan Award

PDK Fellow

Emeritus Membership

Past President's Award

Founder's or Charter Members Award + (already in progress)

Decade, Quarter Century, or Half Century Recognition

PDK Hall of Fame

Student Awards
Offer a variety of student awards to recognize scholarship and leadership at every level.

PDK Scholar

Outstanding Student in Teacher Education

Outstanding Thesis Design

PDK Senior Scholarship Award

Outstanding FEA (FTA) Club

Outstanding High School Student ( all levels)

Outstanding Student in Graduate Education

Prospective Educator of the Year

PDK Student Leadership (Scholarship, Service, or Research) Award

Outstanding Adult Student

Special Awards
Recognizes special programs and projects in the community. Ex. curriculum, research, or honor public or private agency benefits to public education.

Outstanding School District

Innovation in Education

Curriculum Excellence

Education Journalism

Outstanding Legislator

Booklets and video tapes are available at no cost from the international office. It is the discretion of each individual chapter to decide on which awards would be suitable for the memberships needs.

I will be appointing an Awards Committee to create categories for Walden's PDK Chapter.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles J. Smith, Sr., President

This page prepared from the president's email memo to the membership by Gay Wiseman, VP of Programs, Walden University Cyberspace Chapter of PDK International. November 26, 2000.