Crystal Apple

TEA Crystal Apple Awards will be held on - TBD
This award celebrates teachers who demonstrate exemplary leadership, innovative teaching, and an active commitment to TEA's history of positive relationships and collaboration across the school district. 
​Nomination categories include:
  • Early Career Educator (first 5 years)
  • Advocate for the Profession (someone who advocates for teacher professionalism/agency at the building, district, or state level)
  • Teacher Mentor (someone who excels at helping early career educators thrive)
  • Inclusion Master (someone who excels at supporting students with diverse needs in the classroom)
  • Student Advocate (someone who consistently goes to bat for kids' needs; someone who sponsors or attends lots of student events/activities)
  • Collaborator (someone who works well with groups of people to achieve goals)
  • ESP of the Year  (TESPA member who has demonstrated excellence in service to the profession)

How To Nominate an Educator or an ESP.

  1. Each elementary school may choose one winner from their staff, and each secondary school may choose two winners.
  2. You may also nominate an ESP/Classified Staff member from your building.
  3. The nomination form can be filled out in stages. For your convenience a PDF version of the nomination form can be found below so that you may prepare your information before navigating to the required online form.
  4. In addition to a head shot of your winner for the awards program, please also submit a few other photos of your winner "in action" in your building; these will be used in our awards presentation.
Voting for the 2026 Crystal Apple Award is open!
2026 Crystal Apple Awards Official Application Link
Click below for a PDF to aid in preparation for the online Application
You will need to be logged in to your TSD email.