Background
PACCA is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Educator of the Year and the 2026 Award of Excellence. The awards recognize contributions made by PACCA members to the early care and education profession. Nominations may be made by non-PACCA members, however, only PACCA members can receive the awards. Nominations are due JUNE 30, 2026.
We encourage letters from colleagues, families, and others who can provide support to the nomination. Support letters and/or other materials should be emailed to theresa.rine@pacca.org by
JULY 31, 2026.
The Educator of the Year award honors outstanding service and accomplishments in the delivery of services to children. It is given to an individual at a PACCA member agency who has contributed significantly to the direct care and education of young children. We are seeking nominations for both center-based and family child care educators. It is suggested that the person has been a teacher for at least three years.
The Award of Excellence honors outstanding service and accomplishments in the field of administration. The award is presented to a member of PACCA who has demonstrated qualities of vision (ability to see possibilities for making things happen and communicating this vision to others), teamwork (ability to work with and support others) and leadership (willingness to reach out to benefit the child care community). It is suggested that the person has been a director, executive director, administrator, or owner for three years.
The Educator of the Year award honors outstanding service and accomplishments in the delivery of services to children. It is given to an individual at a PACCA member agency who has contributed significantly to the direct care and education of young children. We are seeking nominations for both center-based and family child care educators. It is suggested that the person has been a teacher for at least three years.
The Award of Excellence honors outstanding service and accomplishments in the field of administration. The award is presented to a member of PACCA who has demonstrated qualities of vision (ability to see possibilities for making things happen and communicating this vision to others), teamwork (ability to work with and support others) and leadership (willingness to reach out to benefit the child care community). It is suggested that the person has been a director, executive director, administrator, or owner for three years.
Reminder: Support letters for nominees should be emailed to theresa.rine@pacca.org by JULY 31, 2026.
Upon receipt and review of the nomination, nominees will be contacted and asked to supply:
Upon receipt and review of the nomination, nominees will be contacted and asked to supply:
1) Resume or a brief write up of their education and work history
2) Director Sign-off (for Educator of the Year nominees)
3) Short essay on one of the following three topic areas:
• What were the factors that influenced you to become an educator of young children?
• What can you do to strengthen and improve the early care and education profession?
• What do you consider to be the major early care and education issues today?
Responses from nominees will be due back by July 31, 2026. Recipients will be notified by August 28, 2026 of the committee's decision and will be honored at the 2026 ECE Summit in State College in October.
3) Short essay on one of the following three topic areas:
• What were the factors that influenced you to become an educator of young children?
• What can you do to strengthen and improve the early care and education profession?
• What do you consider to be the major early care and education issues today?
Responses from nominees will be due back by July 31, 2026. Recipients will be notified by August 28, 2026 of the committee's decision and will be honored at the 2026 ECE Summit in State College in October.