LIVINGSTON – The University of West Alabama’s Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education has established awards to honor its most outstanding educators.

Named for the institution’s first president, Julia S. Tutwiler, the “Tutwiler Educator of the Year” awards will honor excellence in education by identifying outstanding educators in the areas of Early Childhood/Elementary Education, Secondary Education fields, Counseling, Library Media, and Instructional Leadership. The award is open to any educator in these fields whose major responsibility is to work with children in a P-12 setting.

“The Tutwiler Educator of the Year awards will highlight the use of best practices and reward teachers who inspire students to achieve a high level of excellence. The significant contribution to society made by these distinguished teachers is nothing short of life changing and deserves to be recognized” said Dr. Kathryn Chandler, dean of the college.

With the honor comes a $500 cash stipend; $250 for the purchase of classroom supplies and professional development; a plaque; and recognition at an annual luncheon.

The selection committee will be appointed by the dean of the college and will consist of a pair of representatives from University faculty, regional principals, teachers, and community representatives who will score each nominee’s credentials.

The committee will review each applicant with consideration given to his or her educational history, professional development activities, community involvement, and letters of recommendation provided from colleagues.

Recipients of the Tutwiler Educator of the Year awards will be notified in February and will be recognized in March at UWA’s annual Honors Day Convocation.

Awarding bachelor’s, master’s, and education specialist degrees to educators across the country, the institution has been recognized for two consecutive years by U.S. News and World Report as a top online education program.

For more information on the Tutwiler Educator of the Year awards, please contact the Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education at 205-652-3865.

UWA celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2010. Founded in February 1835 as Livingston Female Academy, the school is currently home to more than 5,000 male and female students from around the world.