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Teaching Excellence Awards
The Teaching Excellence Awards (TEA) program acknowledges and rewards inspired educators who help children envision positive futures and realize great accomplishments. These motivated teachers have made a significant impression on their students, schools and communities. In recognition of their exceptional efforts, winning recipients are rewarded with a TEA technology classroom featuring SMART products that help them reach their education goals.
The TEA program sponsors existing teacher recognition programs through the donation of interactive education technologies and professional development opportunities.
The story behind TEA
In 1998 SMART Technologies donated a SMART Board interactive whiteboard and floor stand to the Missouri Teacher of the Year program. Program organizers had recognized the value of interactive whiteboards at increasing class participation and improving student leaning outcomes, and requested a donation from SMART.
Realizing the immense benefits of this donation to recipients and students, SMART created the Teaching Excellence Award program. This program offers support to every U.S. State Teacher of the Year program by donating key education technology products to recognized Teachers of the Year. The goal of TEA - provide classroom technology that enhances the teaching and learning experience.
Building momentum
By the end of 2001 the program had undertaken a 5-year sponsorship commitment with the state departments’ teacher recognition programs in all 50 continental states and 7 extra-state jurisdictions. This commitment earned TEA recognition by the national program. Since then TEA partners have proudly attended the annual induction of the National Teacher of the Year award by the President and First Lady at a White House ceremony.
The TEA program expanded its sponsorship commitment into Canada in 2003 with the Alberta Education Innovative Use of Technology awards. And in 2005, the program offered support to the Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) Outstanding Educator and Teacher of the Year awards. Through these events, the TEA program aims to further recognize and reward educators who use technology to empower students to facilitate the future demands of a technological world.
Since 2001, the TEA program has donated over US$10 million in technology products to exceptional educators.
