Sigma Delta Pi's

South Carolina Spanish Teacher of the Year

The College of Charleston's and The Citadel's chapters of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, are proud to announce their 7th annual South Carolina Spanish Teacher of the Year Award for 2011. The three finalists will be recognized and the awardee announced during a ceremony on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 7:00pm on the College of Charleston campus (Arnold Hall, Jewish Studies Center, 96 Wentworth Street). The winner will receive receive $500 courtesy of the

 


Círculo Hispanoamericano
de Charleston

 

All three finalists will receive award plaques courtesy of the College of Charleston's and The Citadel's chapters of Sigma Delta Pi, and each finalist and their guests (one guest per finalist) will receive complimentary lodging the evening of November 10 and breakfast on November 11 courtesy of the


in historic downtown Charleston.

 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • At least four consecutive years (including the current) teaching any level of Spanish from K-12 in the State of South Carolina.
  • Nominees are not required to be members of Sigma Delta Pi.
  • Previous winners are not eligible for a period of two consecutive years following the year they received Sigma Delta Pi's South Carolina Spanish Teacher of the Year Award.
  • Past runners up are eligible.
  • Previous nominees who still meet the aformentioned requirements are automatically reconsidered for future South Carolina Spanish Teacher of the Year awards (the original nomination form remains valid) for a period of three consecutive years provided:
    a) a nominator's updated letter outlining the candidate's most recent professional activities is sent by the submission deadline (e-mail submissions to delmastromp@cofc.edu are acceptable);
    b) the authors of the original letters of recommendation still work with the nominee in a capacity that permits the recommenders to assess the nominee's current performance as a Spanish teacher.
    After three years, the teacher must be re-nominated with a current nomination form and accompanying, updated supporting documentation.

Nominees may be self-nominated.

The following must accompany the official nomination form:
1) Justification for Nomination (self-nominations permitted)

In a typed attachment, please explain in two pages or less why you believe this nominee deserves recognition as the 2011 South Carolina Spanish Teacher of the Year. Be sure to highlight his/her unique qualities as a teacher and his/her impact on students (see "Judging Criteria" below).

2) Letters of Recommendation
In addition to this form and its accompanying "Justification for Nomination," please include two letters of recommendation from people familiar with the nominee's contributions to language teaching; one of these letters must come from an administrator (see "Judging Criteria" below).

3) Current CV of Nominee
Include an updated cv (résumé) of the candidate as it reflects activities related to this teaching distinction.

Judging Criteria
Nominees will be judged on the following:

1) Evidence of innovation in teaching.
2) Role and/or initiative in Spanish curriculum development.
3) Role and/or initiative in extra-curricular activities related to teaching and/or spreading the Hispanic language and/or culture in the school where employed.
4) Role and/or initiative in extra-curricular activities where employed related to teaching and/or spreading the Hispanic language and/or culture in the community, not the school.
5) Evidence of esteem of colleagues.
6) Evidence of esteem of students.
7) Evidence of love of teaching.
8) Evidence of general sacrifices made for the teaching mission.
9) Evidence of subject mastery.
10) Evidence of professional development.

By Friday, June 17, 2011, send one (1) copy of 1) the official nomination form (click to download), 2) the justification for nomination, 3) two letters of recommendation and 4) the nominee's current cv (résumé) must be sent to: 

Dr. Mark P. Del Mastro
Director, South Carolina Spanish Teacher of the Year Award
Hispanic Studies, College of Charleston
66 George St.
Charleston, S.C. 29424-0001

These nomination materials may also be e-mailed to Dr. Mark P. Del Mastro, Foundind Director: delmastromp@cofc.edu