PTA is a volunteer-driven organization. To provide all of the amazing programs and events a local PTA or Council provides for the community requires many dedicated volunteers. To encourage and recognize the outstanding work of volunteers, Sachem PTA Council, Suffolk Region PTA, NYS PTA & National PTA provide multiple individual recognition awards that local PTAs may choose to award to deserving volunteers.
**Please check application deadlines. You may develop your own timeline for recognizing volunteers.
Please let us know your award winners so they can be celebrated and recognized at the PTA Council End-of-the-Year Dinner!
Email questions to our AWARDS Chairperson🏆 Bevin Llanes awards@sachemptacouncil.org
SACHEM PTA COUNCIL AWARDS:
PTA Partner in Excellence Award - The PTA Partner Excellence Award is all about celebrating administrators, community leaders and organizations that go above and beyond to support and work alongside the PTA. These are the people and groups who help the PTA thrive by providing resources, solving challenges, and championing its programs and events. Whether they’re cheering on school initiatives or collaborating to strengthen connections, they embody true partnership. This award is our way of saying “thank you” for their dedication to building a stronger, more united school community.
Volunteer of the Year Award - This award is presented to an individual who has gone above and beyond the scope of their role, demonstrating exceptional dedication, initiative, and a commitment to excellence. It recognizes those who step up in the face of challenges, take on responsibilities beyond expectations, and make a meaningful, lasting impact. Their extraordinary efforts not only achieve results but elevate the entire community, inspiring others through their dedication and leadership
Excellence in Leadership Award -This award honors PTA members who go above and beyond in their roles, showing outstanding dedication, creativity, and teamwork. These leaders inspire others, tackle challenges with a positive attitude, and make a lasting impact on the PTA and school community. It’s for those who set the bar high and lead by example!
SUFFOLK REGION PTA AWARDS (click links below to apply)
Ted Brigham Teacher of the Year Award - Recognizes an active educator working directly with students, is a participating PTA member who has served at least one year within the past three on the PTA Executive Board and has worked to encourage parent and family engagement in the school.
The Danielle Alduino Memorial Scholarship Award - Awarded to a graduating (public) HS senior who has dedicated themselves to community service. This memorial award is dedicated to the memory of Danielle Alduino, past Suffolk Region PTA Director, who believed in giving back to the community.
Unsung Teacher of the Year Award - Recognizes a teacher who goes above and beyond the regular duties of the classroom to
truly make an impact on a school, district and/or community. They inspire students to learn, work to make sure their needs are met, have a positive relationship with colleagues and have earned the admiration and respect of parents and community members. These are the teachers who work to make the community a better place for their students and who teach their students to have a positive impact on the community.
Helen Maloney Newsletter Award - The award is named to honor the memory of Helen Maloney, who served for many years in a variety of capacities on the Suffolk Region Board of Managers among those as editor of our Dimensions Newsletter.
Peg Davis Leadership Award - Awarded to recognize and acknowledge outstanding leadership. This recipient has held leadership positions, attended leadership workshops at region and state levels, encourages leadership development, demonstrates a strong commitment to the Purposes of PTA and has received the NYS PTA Honorary Life Membership Award.
Alice Willett Leadership Training Award - Individual must have participated in Four (4) of the following events: Officer’s Training, Suffolk-By-The-Sea, Fall Conference, Winter Workshops, NYS PTA Summer Leadership Conference or Legislative Summit, Spring Conference, and Service on the Suffolk Region Board of
Managers (50% attendance at monthly meetings required), NYS PTA Convention
NYS PTA AWARDS and RECOGNITIONS (click links below to apply)
Advocacy, Family Engagement, Leadership and Service Awards
Advocate in Action Award – This award acknowledges the involvement of PTA members in their child’s education as well as in their PTA.
Community Service Award – This award recognizes groups of individuals for their dedication and achievement to the children and youth of New York State.
Distinguished Service Award – This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the welfare of children and youth, or to a PTA association.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award – This award will be given to a Unit, Council or Region that demonstrates a leadership commitment to diversity and inclusion through recruitment, training and retention efforts.
Family Engagement Award in Honor of Jami-Beth Knapp – This award honors those that continue the work and dedication of Jami-Beth Knapp in family engagement.
Golden Oak and Diamond Awards for Special Recognition – These awards are a special way to honor your most dedicated volunteers.
Honorary Life Membership – This award recognizes individuals for their contributions to the welfare of children and youth.
Leadership Award in Honor of Jane Skrzypek – This award recognizes an outstanding leader in your PTA who inspires others to volunteer and assume leadership positions.
Teacher Awards
NYS Teacher of the Year Award – The Teacher of the Year program recognizes and celebrates outstanding teachers throughout New York State.
Teacher Fellowship for Graduate Study in Memory of Richard Gazzola – This encourages excellent teachers to stay in the classroom by providing an opportunity improve teaching skills, update professional knowledge and expand professional perspectives.
Innovative Teacher Grant – This grant gives innovative teachers the opportunity to put their ideas into action. It is awarded to worthy projects that significantly influence student learning. Grants may aim to introduce something new or provide enhancements to a current program, and project should be inclusive; not limited to a subset of students within a class or grade level.
National PTA Awards and Grants
National PTA Life Achievement - The highest honor from the nation’s largest child advocacy organization—to the person who daily lives out his or her commitment to children.
Jan Harpe Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award - This award recognizes PTAs that are dedicated to the needs of all families represented in their schools. It also acknowledges PTAs that develop practices that are inclusive and equal for all families and that result in positive change.
The Phoebe Apperson Hearst Awards – Presented to PTAs that have earned top rank with their National PTA School of Excellence designation by demonstrating outstanding achievement engaging families in student success and school improvements.
Outstanding Advocacy Awards - honor state, local and individual PTA advocates for taking action to make a difference for the education, health, safety and well-being of every child.
Awards are a great way to show your community how much you appreciate them and to
celebrate the dedication of those who support your PTA's mission and goals!
Please note: It is recommended that you appoint an awards committee (of 3 or 5 members) who will gather nominations, review them, and choose the award recipients. This can be done during a general meeting. The awards committee should advertise for nomination submissions, this can be done via social media, newsletters, website, email, or even school flyers. To make it even easier for members to submit nominations, the awards committee can create an online submission form using tools like Google Forms or Survey Monkey
