ASC is seeking nominations of exceptionally creative teachers at any stage of their career who have distinguished themselves in teaching the Arts, Sciences or History or who have demonstrated creative infusion of the Arts, Sciences or History into the core curriculum for the 2026 CATO Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Six (6) $1,500 awards are presented annually through the support of ASC’s CATO Excellence in Teaching Endowment.

Teachers, principals, school administrators, parents, students or other community members may nominate teachers for consideration. Teachers can also self-nominate, but nominations may not be made by anyone with a spousal or familial tie to the nominee.

Deadline for receipt of nominations is Friday, February 27, 2026.

Review Process
Based on a review of nominations received by the deadline, finalists will be selected to complete a full application and final review by the selection panel.

Finalists and their nominator(s) will be notified by mid-March, and finalists will be required to submit the following information within 2 weeks of notification for the full panel review:

    • Biographical Information
    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
    • Statement of Teaching Philosophy (2 pages max)
    • Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from among the following: school administrator, teaching colleague, student parent, classroom collaborator, current or former student or community member. NOTE: A nominator who meets this criteria can provide (1) of these letters, but the second one should come from someone else.


Eligibility Criteria

  • Eligible teachers must be a Pre-K through 12th grade teacher working for a public or independent school in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln or Union counties in North Carolina or Lancaster or York counties in SC.
  • Nominees should exhibit a teaching practice marked by innovation and excellence focused on the arts, sciences or history or creative infusion of the arts, sciences or history into the core curriculum; school and community leadership; and dedication to the field of education.
  • Educators who have received a CATO Excellence in Teaching Award in the last (3) years (2023, 2024, 2025) are not eligible to be nominated in 2026.


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* 1. Name of Nominee:

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* 2. Nominee's County/School District:

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* 3. Nominee's School:

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* 4. Nominee's Mailing Address:

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* 5. Nominee's Contact Info:

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* 6. Is this person aware that you are nominating them to be an ASC CATO Excellence in Teaching recipient?

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* 7. Nominee’s Primary Teaching Discipline

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* 8. Nominee’s Teaching Grade Level (check all that apply)

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* 9. In 250 words or less, please upload a statement of support for your nomination. Describe the nominee’s accomplishments in teaching including innovative and creative instruction in or using the Arts, Sciences or History and indicate their lasting contributions to students and teaching.

File size limit is 16MB. PDF or DOC/DOCX files only please. 

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* 10. Confidentiality Policy - I agree to keep all correspondence regarding ASC’s CATO Excellence in Teaching Awards confidential until the recipients are publicly announced in Spring 2026.

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* 11. Name of Nominator:

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* 12. Nominator's Contact Info:

Thank you for your submission - please click the DONE button below to share your responses! If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to contact Ashley Lam at ashley.lam@artsandscience.org.

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