Click the link following each description to apply.  If you wish to apply for more than one award, you need to complete each application individually.

 Announcing the Dr. Thomas J. Morain Award for Outstanding Iowa History Teacher

The Iowa Council for the Social Studies is announcing a new award, The Dr. Thomas J. Morain Award for Outstanding Iowa History Teaching.

With this award, ICSS intends to recognize and reward a full-time Iowa K-12 teacher who provides exceptional and outstanding educational experiences centered around Iowa's history.  Recipients of this award actively teach about Iowa's history and foster in their students a desire to learn more about their state's history.

The first award will be made at the 2022 Annual Conference of the Iowa Council for the Social Studies.  The recipient will receive a plaque, a one-year complimentary ICSS membership, and a cash award.

This award honors Dr. Thomas J. Morain (1947-2020), historian, educator, author, and tireless promotor/advocate of and for Iowa history.  To learn more about the award, including how to nominate a teacher, and to learn more about Dr. Morain, see the handout provided in your conference materials.

Iowa Social Studies Teacher of the Year 

Recipients of the Iowa Social Studies Teacher of the Year award will be recognized with an award and a one-year paid membership to the National Council for the Social Studies and the Iowa Council for the Social Studies.  Winners also have the option to be nominated for the NCSS Teacher of the Year Award. The applicant must be a member of ICSS with over three years of experience and currently under contract within the State of Iowa. Categories include elementary, middle, and high school teacher of the year.  Winners will be teachers who embrace the State Social Studies Standards, and the use of inquiry leading to student success is evident throughout their teaching. Applications must include a resume from the nominee as well as an essay and a letter of recommendation which describe the ways in which the applicant demonstrates best practices in social studies. The recommendation should be from the principal or district leader who can speak to the nominee’s teaching practices in social studies. The essay may be written by the nominee or by a colleague or supervisor who knows the nominee’s teaching practices in social studies. Recipients of this award are encouraged to lead a session at the fall conference. Applications must be completed no later than May 31st. 

Clair Keller Development Instructional Project Grant

About Clair Keller

The Clair Keller Development Instructional Project Grant is intended to help teachers develop new curriculum for the classroom. Examples could be a new lesson or project for taking action. The applicant must submit a project proposal online, which includes the main purpose of the project, objectives, schedule for completion, and how it will improve social studies instruction. A cover page should be included which provides the applicant’s name, school, and address.  The applicant must be a member of ICSS. The Clair Keller Development Instructional Project Grant winners receive a grant of $250. The winner must also present at the next ICSS fall conference. Applications must be completed no later than May 31st. 

Don Fett Social Studies Instruction Award

About Don Fett

The Iowa Council for the Social Studies will give a $100 cash award to K-12 teachers for submitting an exemplary lesson plan that they have created.  This lesson plan must reflect current trends in social studies education and be an original approach to the teaching of any social studies discipline.  The applicant must explain why the lesson meets the criteria as well as provide a written lesson plan. A cover page should be included which provides the applicant’s name, school, and address.  Applicants must be an ICSS member. Winner(s) of this award must present their lesson plan in the year they receive their award at the ICSS fall conference.  Applications must be completed no later than May 31st.

Helen Finken Award  

About Helen Finken

This award recognizes teachers in their first three years of teaching Social Studies, who have demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence in social studies education. This award is given in memory of Helen Finken, an outstanding teacher and long time member and officer of ICSS. Nominees must have three or fewer years of teaching experience and be a current ICSS member.  They must submit two lesson plans demonstrating best practices in social studies and a recommendation from mentor, principal, or district leader explaining the nominee’s potential as a social studies teacher. Recipients will be required to lead a session at the conference at which they receive the award. Recipients receive an award and registration for the conference at which they will receive the award, plus ICSS and NCSS membership for one year.  Applications must be completed no later than May 31st.

John Haefner Award

About John Haefner

Individuals who are eligible for the John Haefner Award must be recommended by a member of the Iowa Council for the Social Studies to the Executive Director and the President of the Council.  Professionals selected for the award must have promoted excellence in teaching of social studies by participating in professional workshops and conferences at both the state and national levels. The nominee is not to be informed that they have been nominated or are to receive the award.  The essence of this award is recognition by the recipient’s peers for outstanding teaching, continuous learning and/or service to the social studies education profession. The Executive Board will evaluate the applications and the recipient of the award will be announced at the annual conference luncheon.  The recipient of this award will receive a plaque from the Iowa Council for the Social Studies signifying his/her selection. Nominations for this award should be submitted to the ICSS Executive Board by May 31st.

Friends of ICSS Award

Each year the ICSS Executive Board may recognize an individual or a group, who consistently help the council in their pursuit of bettering social studies education in Iowa. ICSS members may nominate individuals or groups they deem deserving of the award. Nominations must be made to the Executive Director and the President of the Council.  The purpose of this award is to be recognized by the Council for outstanding service and/or continuous learning to social studies education. The Executive Board will determine the recipient of the award and the recipient will be announced at the annual conference luncheon. The recipient of this award will receive a plaque from the Iowa Council for the Social Studies signifying their selection and service to the profession. Nominations for this award should be submitted to the ICSS Executive Director and the President no later than May 31st.

For more information, contact awards chair:
Ben McQuade
icssonline@gmail.com


**All award winners will be notified by July 1 and will receive their award at the Fall Conference**