Entry to a participating Post
Official entry deadline: by midnight at the end of October 31, 2026. Confirm a participating Post and its delivery arrangements in advance. No separate Post 12239 deadline is confirmed.
Official stage deadline ↗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. Confirm delivery format and local participation before sending materials.
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. Post 12239’s local acceptance process is unconfirmed. All calendar dates below use America/New_York; a cutoff time is shown only when the source publishes one.
Post judging completed
Georgia judging milestone for Post officers, not a second applicant entry deadline.
Official stage 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.
Official stage deadline ↗Georgia judging completed
Georgia Department judging milestone. District winners advance through the official process.
Official stage deadline ↗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.
Official stage deadline ↗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.
Official stage deadline ↗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.