NEBLA Honors & Awards

Each year, Nebraska world language teachers can nominate a colleague or themselves for one of the following NEBLA awards. Nominations are due by July 31st.

New Educator Award

The New Educator award is given to World Language Educators who´ve been in the profession for less than five years and have already demonstrated remarkable contributions to the field of World Language Education.

Pro-Lingua Award

The Pro Lingua award recognizes those friends outside the world language teaching profession who have contributed time and effort in support of world language programs for Nebraska students. Nominees for this award can be colleagues in other disciplines, counselors, administrators, or members of the community.

Outstanding Educator Award

The NEBLA Outstanding World Language Teacher of the Year may choose to advance to the regional Teacher of the Year competition that is hosted by CSCTFL.

To nominate a teacher for one of the language-specific awards (Spanish, French, German, Chinese), please email the president of that organization. To see past award winners, click this link.

*NEW: Nebraska LEAD Award

The Nebraska LEAD Award aims to recognize those teachers who show extra dedication to the world language profession. To qualify for this achievement, world language teachers must accumulate a minimum of 20 points from any combination of the following key areas:

Leadership and Recognition

Education and Exploration

Advocacy and Advancement

Development (Professional)

PLEASE NOTE: Individuals are responsible for keeping track of their progress towards this award and submitting it on time. This score sheet may be submitted anytime but is due no later than SEPTEMBER 15.

Upon completion of the required 20 points, email this completed score sheet to Shanna Held at sraheld@gmail.com. Certificates will be available at the annual NEBLA Conference. Those unable to attend the conference will have their certificates mailed to them at a later date.

Central States Languages For All (CSCTFL) Awards

Nominations are due by December 15th, 2025 (You must be a member of the Advisory Council to submit nominations!)

Languages For All Award

This award is presented to an educator whose work in teaching indigenous and/or less commonly taught languages is innovative and promotes student engagement and appreciation of indigenous language and culture and/or less commonly taught languages. This award is especially focused on honoring individuals who may have limited access to an active state or national language association to support their work in the classroom.

Partner in Language Award

The Partner in Language Education Award is presented to an individual who has made significant and sustained contributions to professional development opportunities and/or teacher training for world language and culture educators. Further, the individual is regarded as a leader in the profession in the Central States region.

The Founders Award

The award may be conferred annually on an individual or group from within the language teaching profession. Current or retired members of the profession may be nominated for the award. Nominees for the award should exemplify the following qualifications:

• excellence in the promotion of language learning and international studies

• leadership in the language teaching profession as exemplified by the founders of Central States.

• strong ties with one or more of the fourteen Central States

• professional dedication and enthusiasm

Senator Paul Simon Award

The Paul Simon Award may be conferred annually by the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages on an individual or group from outside the language teaching profession

that has demonstrated leadership in the promotion of language learning and the international understanding has shown evidence of responding to the recommendations of the 1979 Report of the President's Commission on the Foreign Language and International Studies and
has thereby contributed to the cause of world peace
has strong ties with one or more of the fourteen Central States, and
exemplifies Senator Simon's dedication to and enthusiasm for the areas of language and international studies

ACTFL Awards

Consider nominating a fellow educator to be recognized at the national level! Click each award to take you to a detailed description and instructions for nominations. Nominations for awards will close May 30th, 2025.