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Patience W. Norman Prize for Teacher Excellence

Award Size: $5,000
Application Deadline: Oct. 13, 2023

Patience Norman Prize Nomination Form: Word Document 

Background

Patience Norman was a history teacher with a fine, inquisitive mind who believed her students were capable of academic excellence. Ms. Norman required her students to work hard and challenged them to surpass her, and their own, expectations. The Patience W. Norman Prize for Teacher Excellence has been established at the Maine Community Foundation to recognize outstanding, full-time teachers in MSAD 52 who emulate her education philosophy. Teachers who stimulate intellectual curiosity, raise aspirations and demand critical thinking in their classrooms are eligible. The donors’ hope is to promote teacher retention by recognizing--through the award and its attendant recognition--an educator who exemplifies excellence in teaching.

Evaluation Criteria

Recipients should have a demonstrated commitment to SAD 52 as evidenced by their tenure (minimum of five years). The establishers of the award further measure excellence in teaching by demonstrating one or more of the following:

  • Unusual impact and effectiveness in the classroom
  • Commitment to students, including responsibility and concern for academic progress
  • Creativity and innovation in teaching
  • Leadership that provides a positive model for students

Eligibility Requirements

Full-time teachers with a minimum tenure of five years in MSAD 52 are eligible to be nominated for this award. Teachers who stimulate intellectual curiosity, raise aspirations and demand critical thinking in their classrooms are eligible. Recipients may be renominated and will be considered after a hiatus of one year.

Use of Award

Use of the award is at the recipient’s discretion. The foundation welcomes written feedback from recipients about the usefulness and meaning of the award.

How to Nominate a Candidate

Nomination forms are available for download above. Nominations must be postmarked by Oct. 13 and sent to:

MSAD 52
Patience Norman Prize Nominee
486 Turner Center Road
Turner, ME 04282