• SAES
  • Connie Wootton Excellence in Teaching Award
    Nomination Form
    Deadline: February 14, 2025

    Named in honor of Connie Wootton, in recognition of her outstanding passion, dedication, and service to schools in the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES), the Connie Wootton Excellence in Teaching Awards are awarded to active teachers from the Association who:

    • Display passion for teaching and innovation 
    • Demonstrate a deep appreciation for professional development
    • Possess an entrepreneurial spirit
    • Desire their school to reflect an ongoing commitment to excellence
    • Love the students and strive daily to help them achieve their personal best
    • Exhibit commitment to the Episcopal approach to education which could be understood as “faith seeking understanding”
     
    Wootton Awards are $5,000 cash prizes awarded to one nominee in each of the following categories:

    In even years:
    • Early Childhood—this award identifies an exceptional teacher working with pre-kindergarten students 
    • Lower School—this award identifies an exceptional teacher working with students from kindergarten to fifth grade
    In odd years:
    • Middle/Upper School—this award identifies an exceptional teacher working with students from grades six through twelve
    • Special Focus—this award identifies an exceptional teacher of a special subject or Chaplain excelling in the spirit of the Wootton Awards

  • Nomination Process:

    Each year, administrators of SAES schools may nominate one teacher from their community to be considered for a Wootton Award that is available for that year. Please gather the following information and upload using the links provided on this form (note: all uploaded documents must be a .pdf): 

    • Current CV of the teacher nominee
    • Personal Statement of the nominee   
    • Two letters of support for the nomination. (For example, these letters of support may be from a peer, a parent, an alum) 
    • Letter of Endorsement from the Head of School
    • Letter of Endorsement by the Board of Trustees 

  • Award Categories

    • Early Childhood—this award identifies an exceptional teacher working with pre-kindergarten students (Note - this category is currently closed but will be open in January of 2026)
    • Lower School—this award identifies an exceptional teacher working with students from kindergarten to fifth grade (Note - this category is now closed but will be open in January of 2026)
    • Middle/Upper School—this award identifies an exceptional teacher working with students from grades six through twelve (Note - this category is open NOW)
    • Special Focus—this award identifies an exceptional teacher of a special subject or Chaplain excelling in the spirit of the Wootton Awards. (Note - this category is open NOW)
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  • Please upload two letters of support for the nominee (For example, these letters may be from a peer, an administrator, a parent, an alum)

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  • Selection Process:

    The Executive Board of The Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools will name a selection committee consisting of no more than five persons and no less than three persons.  In addition, the Executive Director and the Director of Accreditation will serve as ex officio members of the selection committee. Nominees will be reviewed and winners will be selected by March 31. 

    Announcement and Recognition:

    The SAES Executive Director will notify the schools of each award winner and will coordinate a special announcement and recognition ceremony to be held on the campus of each Wootton Award winner.  

  • Contact Pat Blevins should you have any questions or require assistance.

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