Entry to a participating Post
Official entry deadline: by midnight at the end of October 31, 2026. Contact Post 12239 through the Contact Us page for more information.
Educators · Grades K–12
Teacher of the Year
The Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award recognizes teaching that builds civic responsibility and patriotism.
2026–2027
Recognizes teachers in three groups: K–5, 6–8, and 9–12. There is no annual essay theme.
Who is eligible
Current certified or licensed K–12 teachers are eligible under national rules; previous national winners are excluded. Georgia describes teachers regularly teaching in a classroom for at least half the school day and effectively teaching citizenship, history, and traditions. Teachers may nominate themselves; colleagues, supervisors, relatives, and other interested adults may also nominate.
Entry requirements & materials
Use the current 2026–27 signed entry form. Include at least a one-page résumé and no more than five pages of teaching documentation in total, including the résumé. Supporting references or articles may be included within that limit. Include a head-and-shoulders photo if available. The current form does not request a separate 350-word nomination essay; follow the linked current form and rules.
How and where to submit
Submit to a participating local VFW Post in the nominee’s state of residence. Do not submit directly to national; such entries are returned. The Post selects entries for district judging. Contact Post 12239 through the Contact Us page for more information.
Awards & support
National winners in each grade group receive $1,000 for professional development; their schools also receive $1,000, with plaques and a convention trip. Georgia lists $200 and a citation for each of its three winning levels. Post awards are unconfirmed.
Deadlines & stages
These are official program milestones. All calendar dates below use America/New_York; a cutoff time is shown only when the source publishes one.
Official stage deadline ↗
Post judging completed
Georgia judging milestone for Post officers, not a second applicant entry deadline.
District judging completed
Georgia district-stage milestone. The sponsoring Post advances selected entries; applicants do not send a new entry directly to the district.
Georgia judging completed
Georgia Department judging milestone. District winners advance through the official process.
Georgia winners forwarded to national
Georgia’s deadline for forwarding state winners to national. This is an officer responsibility, not a direct application route. No cutoff time is published.
National receipt limit for Department entries
National rules set February 1 for Department submissions. Georgia publishes an earlier January 15 forwarding deadline; Georgia officers should use that earlier date. Nominators still enter through a participating local Post.
Forms & complete rules
These summaries help you prepare; read the complete official rules before entering.
Official sources
Last verified: 2026-09-09.
Information is reviewed manually. Check the organizer’s current information before making plans or submitting.
Georgia’s January 15 forwarding deadline is earlier than the national February 1 receipt limit. The current national form replaces older nomination instructions.