NJTESOL/NJBE

New Jersey Teachers of English to Speakers of other Languages/New Jersey

Bilingual Educators, Incorporated

A professional organization for those concerned with the teaching of English as a Second Language,

Bilingual Education, and Standard English as a Second Dialect

**AWARD OPPORTUNITY**

February 2010

Dear Colleagues,

Have you ever wanted the opportunity to recognize a colleague, administrator, or community member for their advocacy efforts on behalf of English Language Learners (ELLs)? Or, have you been involved in advocacy efforts for your ELL students and/or their families? As an organization dedicated to promoting progressive initiatives for New Jersey’s ELLs, this year we would like to provide a forum for an advocate to be recognized at our annual Spring Conference. We are extending the opportunity to our members to nominate themselves or fellow colleagues, administrators, or community members whose advocacy efforts have benefited their ELL students and/or their families. The nominee does not necessarily need to be a member of NJTESOL/NJBE, although members are strongly encouraged to apply! For example, have you or a colleague established a tutoring program for ELL students? Have you been involved in efforts to increase the use of students’ native languages within the school setting? Or, do you know a school administrator who makes an effort to highlight the assets of linguistic and cultural diversity within your school through cultural events? Has a community member worked towards improving immigrants’ rights by contacting legislators or by engaging in other advocacy activities? If so, complete the included nomination form, in its entirety, and return to the address below, keeping in mind that self-nominations will be accepted.

The winner of the Advocacy Award will receive:

· one day attendance to the NJTESOL/NJBE 2011 Annual Spring Conference

· one year of membership to NJTESOL/NJBE

· a certificate of recognition

Winners will be notified by telephone and by email no later than May 1^st. Only the award winner will receive notification; all other applicants will not be notified. Award winners will be honored in the afternoon at NJTESOL/NJBE Legislative Conference on May 19, 2010. The winner will also be highlighted in NJTESOL/NJBE’s Voices newsletter.

Let’s celebrate an advocate who has made a positive difference in our students’ and families lives—nominate someone who deserves to be recognizes for their efforts!

Respectfully,

Janina J. Kusielewicz, President, NJTESOL-NJBE, Inc.

NJTESOL/NJBE, Inc.

AN AFFILIATE OF NJEA, TESOL, AND NABE

FIRST ANNUAL NJTESOL/NJBE ADVOCACY AWARD

ELIGIBILITY

To be considered for the Advocacy Award, the applicant must be:

nominated by a current NJTESOL/NJBE member
a New Jersey resident

CRITERIA

The application consists of two sections. Each of the two sections will be considered carefully in selecting the award winner. Please follow the directions carefully and don’t hesitate to contact Jory Samkoff-Oulhiad at jsamkoff@njtesol-njbe.org or Maria Jaume at mjaume@njtesol-njbe.org with any questions about the application or nomination process. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Each application packet must include the following items in one envelope or be attached to one email, which will be considered in the selection of the award winner:

Checklist

Part I: Award Application Form to be completed by the nominator

2. Part II: Brief Personal Statement to be completed by the nominee

(approximately one page in length, double-spaced, 12-point font, typed)

Completing and sending the application:

You may type directly into the application, save it as a Word document, and send it to the email address listed below. Or, you may also print out the application, write in your responses, and send it regular mail to the address below.

· Compile all documents (both Parts I and II) into one envelope before mailing. Or, if you are emailing the application, attach all documents and send in one email.

You have 2 options for submitting the forms:

1) Mail: ***Please note--award applications must be postmarked by April 1^st, 2010. No exceptions.***

Send to:

Jory Samkoff-Oulhiad

School #14

99 St. Andrews Blvd.

Clifton, NJ 07012

~OR~

2) Email: ***Please note that emailed applications must be received by April 1, 2010, 11:59PM. No exceptions.***

Email all completed forms as an attachment to:

Jory Samkoff-Oulhiad at jsamkoff@njtesol-njbe.org

NJTESOL/NJBE

Advocacy Award Application

General Information Form

YOU MAY TYPE DIRECTLY INTO THIS DOCUMENT OR PRINT IT OUT AND WRITE IN YOUR RESPONSES.

PART I: Award Application Form

*To be completed by the nominator*

Name (Last, First):

Email address:

Phone numbers: (home) (cell)

(work)

Describe how you know the person you are nominating. If this is a self-nomination write “self”: ______

Below, please write a description of nominee’s advocacy work on behalf of ELLs’ and/or their families. Why do you believe that this person should be recognized by NJTESOL/NJBE? Attach a separate sheet, if necessary.

List local newspapers for press release:

PART II: Personal Statement

*To be completed by the nominee.* If you are self-nominating, please write “same as above” for the contact information below.

Name (Last, First):

Email address:

Phone numbers: (home) (cell)

(work)

Your affiliation (i.e. name of school, business, etc.):

To be completed by nominee:

On a separate sheet of paper, please include a typed statement (approximately 1-2 pages, double-spaced, 12 point font) that outlines the advocacy work that you have been involved in on behalf of ELL students and/or their families. Be sure to include any information that you feel would give us good insight into your advocacy work such as 1) where the advocacy work took place 2) a description of the activities that you have been involved in 3) how your work has benefited ELLs and/or their families or how your work has promoted bilingualism and multiculturalism.