The Lion Award was derived from a speech that James Reynolds, former Director of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, gave at the 1980 CEA Delegate Assembly which was recognizing him for his outstanding contributions to human rights. Reynolds told the delegates that as a youngster, and all through his life, he experienced negativism, exclusion, and an overt desire to survive. In his desire to survive, he turned to nature for understanding. When he found that rabbits are shot at more often than lions, he decided to become a lion. As an educator, Reynolds fought for fairness in health care, pay, equity, and respect for educators and students — speaking, marching or whatever it took. He never backed down from a fight. He encouraged all teachers to become lions in their class rooms and in the pursuit of their professional rights. To encourage teacher lions, JCEA created the Lion Award, which has been awarded annually since 1982.

Criteria for a Lion Award include: 1. JCEA member in good standing. 2. Extensive involvement in contract maintenance or bargaining. 3. Consistent involvement in union activities and/or programs in teacher rights. 4. Consistent advocating of the human and civil rights of teachers and students.   5. Consistent demonstration of concern for the advancement of the teaching profession.