Service Above Self Teacher Awards 2026

IMPORTANT DATES Applications Due: Friday, June 5, 2026 Awards Luncheon: Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Park City Club, 5956 Sherry Lane, #1700 Dallas, Tx 75225. Lunch buffet begins at 11:30am & program starts at noon.
1. You are currently teaching and will be teaching again in August 2026*

YesNo
2. You understand that you must be available on August 5, 2026 for the Teacher Awards Luncheon.*

YesNo
4. Are you a previous Service Above Self Teacher Awards winner? (Can only win once in each category)*

YesNo
5. Have you applied before? (There is no limit on how many times you can apply however, you may only win once in each category.)*

YesNo
This application will take 30-40 minutes to complete. We recommend reading through all the questions and preparing the items you need to complete.
General Information – Who you are, what you do and more
Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Secondary email not DISD (we need that so we can reach you in the summer)*
example@example.com
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/example
Other Social Media addresses (optional)
www.facebook.com/example.example
Cell Phone (we wont publish but need to be able to reach you)*

Area CodePhone Number
Current Job/Position Title (if this changes in the summer, let us know in parenthesis) - the award is given for your previous work, so the current 2025/26 position & school is the most important to us:*
Title
Current Complete School Name (if this changes in the summer, let us know in parenthesis) *
Academic Level*

ElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School
Current School Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Work Experience

Please provide where you have worked in your last 3 positions, how long you were there and what your title/position was, beginning with your most recent.
Institution Name 1*
Inclusive Date(s) 1*
Title(s) 1*
Institution Name 2
Inclusive Date(s) 2
Title(s) 2
Institution Name 3
Inclusive Date(s) 3
Title(s) 3
Community Organizations

What are your volunteer activities are you engaged in? Please list all (present and former), eg. Red Cross Volunteer, YMCA, Youth Coach, etc.
Community Organization Names and list position/activity with each/time active.*
Honors and Awards you received over the years *
Recommendations

List your Principal and one other person at your school. Finalists will be asked for references at a later date.
1. Principal*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
2. Other school contact*

First NameLast Name
Title*
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Criteria for Application

Now it is time to write! Proper grammar and complete sentences will be considered in the scoring. Bullet points are allowed, but not for the entire response. Please enter a write up for each of the following that demonstrate characteristics of the Service Above Self award.
I have met the academic requirements of DISD to teach.*

Yes
1. Give two examples of how you have impacted your school, community and students. Please include examples of inspiration and creativity.*
2. You have been given a “magic wand”and the wand gives you the power to solve one (1) problem in education. Please describe the one (1) problem or issue and how you would use your “magic wand” to improve or change the situation. Please be thorough in your description of the issue, solution, and the overall impact.*
3. Tell us about what inspires you and how you apply that to teaching. Describe your personal philosophy on education and teaching. Give at least one (1) example of putting this philosophy in action.*
Upon submission of this application I acknowledge the following*

Previous first-place recipients of the Service Above Self Teacher Awards are not eligible. Additional weight will be given in each of the above areas to indications of how the nominee's activities contributed to improved student performance. Please do not submit event/program photos, notebooks or other visuals with your application. No submitted materials will be returned. Preliminary judges will only see copies of your application and letters of recommendation. Finalists will be notified beginning of July. Photos of the finalists will appear in the printed program for the awards luncheon and on the website. By submission of this application you give us permission to use your photograph(s). Finalists must attend the awards luncheon on August 5, 2026.
Submitted by:*
Your Full Name
Title/Position*
Should be Empty:

IMPORTANT DATES Applications Due: Friday, June 5, 2026 Awards Luncheon: Wednesday, August 5, 2026

General Information – Who you are, what you do and more

Work Experience

Community Organizations

Recommendations

Criteria for Application