KNEA Friend of Education Award

The KNEA Friend of Education Award is an annual recognition of a person or organization whose leadership, acts, and support have contributed to the improvement of public education on a statewide level.

Purpose
The KNEA Representative Assembly created the Friend of Education Award as an annual recognition of a person or organization whose leadership, acts, and support have contributed to the improvement of public education on a statewide level.

Qualifications
An individual nominated shall have exhibited leadership, acts, and support of education on a state level that establishes the nominee as a true friend of education, education employees, and students. A nominee need not be a resident of Kansas but should reflect philosophies and principles compatible with KNEA’s.  An education nominee, if eligible, must hold NEA Active/Retired membership.

Nomination
Any KNEA member or local affiliate may nominate an individual or organization to the Friend of Education Award Committee by completing a nomination form and submitting it to KNEA. Nominations must be signed and include proof of the nominator’s KNEA membership or affiliation.  Nominations should contain information on the following key points:

  • Name and address of the candidate, and name and address of the individual and local association nominating the candidate;
  • No more than 200 words describing the educational contribution(s) made by the candidate; and
  • A listing of the activities with which the nominee has been involved that have helped improve public education.

Selection of Recipient
A five-member committee, appointed by the KNEA President, will review each duly submitted nomination and recommend a recipient to the KNEA Board of Directors for approval.  The Board is not required to make an annual award.

PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for submitting a nomination form is 5 p.m. on Feb. 1 of each year or the next business day if Feb. 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

CLICK HERE to download the nomination form.