Eligible: Undergraduate or Graduate BIPOC Aspiring Educator ISTA members 

The Ann Wilkins Legacy Scholarship is designed to increase the pipeline of well-qualified Black, Indigenous, or Educators of Color in Indiana. The scholarship was named for Ann Wilkins, a former Indianapolis Public Schools teacher, Indianapolis Education Association President, and ISTA UniServ Director. It awards $1,000 per semester for up to two semesters, for any BIPOC undergraduate or graduate student who is in a full-time practicum experience pursuing licensure in education in any one of the Indiana Approved Educator Preparation Programs. Prospective students must be a current ISTA Aspiring Educator member and plan to pursue employment in any public school system in Indiana. Prospective candidates will also be expected to submit one letter of reference and complete a 500 word or fewer essay explaining why a racially diverse faculty is essential to the learning outcomes of Hoosier students. 

Nomination deadline is April 15th for spring semester applicants and November 15th for fall semester applicants. The Racial Affairs Committee will evaluate the applications and choose an awardee.

Questions? Contact Brytnie Dickerson at bdickerson@ista-in.org.

Eligible: Public high school seniors who are children, stepchildren, grandchildren or step grandchildren of current ISTA members

This scholarship is open to graduates of a public high school in December or May/June of the school year of application who had at least a C average, plan to participate in a formal accredited training program in the fall (apprenticeship, trade school, cosmetology, etc.) or attend a two- to four-year accredited college or university and are the children or grandchildren (stepchildren and step grandchildren qualify) of an ISTA member. The applicant does not need to have attended high school in the same district in which the ISTA member teaches, nor live with the ISTA member.

ISTA Foundation contributes to the scholarships that are awarded locally. Nominations for the district scholarship should be submitted by April 1. Scholarship checks are mailed or presented to the scholarship awardees by July.
 

Questions? Contact Camille Bell at cbell@ista-in.org

Eligible: Public high school seniors who are children, stepchildren, grandchildren, step grandchildren, or legal dependents of current ISTA members.

This scholarship is open to graduates of a public high school in December or May/June of the school year of application who had at least a C average, plan to participate in a formal accredited training program in the fall (apprenticeship, trade school, cosmetology, etc.) or attend a two- to four-year accredited college or university. The applicant does not need to have attended high school in the same district in which the ISTA member teaches, nor live with the ISTA member.

ISTA Foundation contributes to the scholarships that are awarded locally. All nominations for retired scholarship should be submitted by April 1 and will be sent to the Retired Scholarship Committee for consideration. Scholarship checks are mailed or presented to the scholarship awardees by July.

Questions? Contact Becky Koerner for the ISTA-Retired scholarship.

This scholarship is open to ISTA members who are candidates for National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The ISTA Foundation accepts and reviews applications on a rolling basis beginning Sept. 1. The scholarship is awarded on a first come, first served basis as applications are received, provided the applicant meets all scholarship criteria.

Eligible: ISTA members
This award recognizes outstanding, active minority classroom educators. Nominees must be active ISTA members, participate in the Association and receive recommendations from the local association president and a colleague. Nominations must be made by an ISTA member and include nominee’s educational background, work experience, Association involvement, community and civic engagement and other relevant experience.
 

Nomination deadline is March 1 with the award presentation to be scheduled at an ISTA event, determined by the ISTA President. The Racial Affairs Committee will evaluate nominations and make recommendations to the board of directors.
 

Questions? Contact Sherri Purdue @ spurdue@ista-in.org

PURPOSE 

The Outstanding Treasurer Award was established to reward well‐trained, effective local and district council treasurers and to recognize them for their service and dedication to their associations. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

To qualify for an Outstanding Treasurer Award, a treasurer must comply with the criteria outlined in the nomination form which covers membership dues remittal, financial records and training. 

SELECTION OF RECIPIENT Treasurers who meet all the criteria for the award and are nominated by their local presidents or district council chairs automatically receive the award. 

PRESENTATION Each recipient is recognized at a local or district event and receives a certificate and a letter of recognition from the ISTA treasurer. 

LOCAL PRESIDENT/DISTRICT COUNCIL CHAIR 

To earn this prestigious award, your treasurer must have met the following qualifications during the current fiscal year: 

• The local treasurer has forwarded ISTA and NEA membership dues in accordance with the ISTA Bylaws with no outstanding charges to the local Association by ISTA during the fiscal year.

• The local association or district council has a properly adopted financial budget.

• Financial reports were prepared and given at least once during the fiscal year.

• The treasurer attended at least one treasurer’s workshop within the past two fiscal years.

• The local president or district council chair verifies that all the above activities have been accomplished to the benefit of the members.

Eligible:  ISTA members, education advocates, local associations
This award recognizes individuals — ISTA members or education advocates — and local associations who have made a significant contribution to advancing human and civil rights in education. Nominations must be made by an ISTA member or local association. Nominations must include two letters of recommendation and a written statement by the nominator outlining the candidate’s efforts in achieving one or more of the following goals:
 

• Protect and advance the human and civil rights and responsibilities of educators and students.
• Work to increase respect, understanding and acceptance toward individuals and groups in our Association, our schools and our communities.
• Advance equal educational opportunities for all students.
• Develop and implement programs that will inform teachers about human and civil rights and how they can be carried out.
• Work toward equitable salaries and working conditions.
• Eliminate discrimination in the hiring, displacement and personnel practices of school corporations.
• Develop and implement curriculum that promotes the concept of cultural pluralism.

Nomination deadline is March 1 with the award presentation to be scheduled at an ISTA event, to be determined by the ISTA President. The Minority Affairs Committee will evaluate nominations and make recommendations to the board of directors.
Questions? Contact Camille Bell

Eligible: ISTA Aspiring Educators university or college advisor
This award recognizes an ISTA Aspiring Educators advisor at a university or college Aspiring Educators chapter. The recipient is identified as an advisor that demonstrates dedication and service to the ISTA Aspiring Educators program at the local/chapter level.
 

Nominators should be prepared to submit an essay and two letters of recommendation.
 

Questions? Please contact Angela Miller @ Amiller@ista-in.org

Eligible: ISTA Aspiring Educators member in freshman or sophomore year of college
This award recognizes a freshman or sophomore who has exhibited leadership to their local chapter. Contributions to the local chapter should include: improving the local chapter, participation in professional development activities, impact on members and the community and ability to differentiate themselves from other freshman and sophomore ISTA Aspiring Educators members.

Nominators should be prepared to write an essay and submit two letters of recommendation.
 

Eligible: ISTA Aspiring Educators local chapter leaders

This award recognizes an ISTA Aspiring Educators local chapter leader who has provided excellent leadership to their Aspiring Educators chapter throughout the year. Nominees should demonstrate their ability to strengthen and grow local student chapter, participate in professional development opportunities, support existing programs/project and/or develop new ones, impact student members and the community, commit to providing opportunities for others and develop upcoming leaders and focus on inclusion, teamwork and communication.
Nominators should be prepared to write an essay and submit two letters of recommendation.

Questions? Contact Angela Miller

Eligible: ISTA Aspiring Educators seniors.  $100.  
This honor recognizes two seniors who have contributed to the work and promotion of ISTA Aspiring Educators, both at the state and chapter level. The $100 award recognizes active ISTA Aspiring Educators members in their senior year of college.

Applicants should be prepared to outline their involvement in ISTA Aspiring Educators in an essay.

Questions? Contact Angela Miller.

Eligible: Local associations and District Councils
This grant is open to a local association, two or more local associations jointly or a District Council to initiate creative projects/programs, which enhance public education in our local communities. The $500 grant is awarded annually, and as funding permits, grant renewal may be considered.
 

Criteria for selection includes the project/program’s link to the community, the applicant’s commitment to the project/program, the promotion and enhancement of public education and the ongoing effort to support public education. Applications must be submitted by Nov. 30 with all supportive materials included. The Issues and Concerns communications subcommittee will review applications and make recommendations to the board of directors for grants to be awarded by Jan. 15.
 

 Questions? Contact John O'Neal.

Eligible: Local associations and/or District Councils

This grant is open to local associations and District Councils to provide professional development to their members. For the purposes of this grant, professional development is any program or process that results in developing the skills of educators, increases student learning or improves school or classroom quality.

The grant provides a disbursement of $1 for every member in the local association or District Council, whichever applies. Annual funding for this grant is limited.

Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The Professional Practices & Standards Committee will review and approve grant applications quarterly by the following dates: Nov. 15, Feb. 15, May 15 and Aug. 15. The grant summary form must be submitted 30 days after the last grant activity is completed, or by Aug. 31, whichever is sooner.

Questions? Contact Camille Bell.

Only locals or district councils may apply for this grant. Individual members are not eligible.

Grants will be approved by the Professional Practices & Standards Committee by the following dates: 

Nov. 15         Feb. 15         May 15        Aug.15