Lorne H. Woollatt Distinguished Paper Award
Thomas F. Donlon Memorial Award
Teacher-As_Researcher Award
Leo D. Doherty Memorial Award

APPLICATION FOR THE 2008 LORNE H. WOOLLATT DISTINGUISHED PAPER AWARD

The award, now known as the Lorne H. Woollatt Distinguished Paper Award, is presented annually to a NERA member whose paper is deemed exemplary by the Award Committee. In 1990 NERA renamed its distinguished paper award to honor Lorne H. Woollatt, a distinguished New York State educator and an active member of NERA.

Any paper reviewed and accepted by the Program Committee and presented at the 2008 NERA Annual Conference may be submitted for consideration. Only one paper can be selected so the Committee is looking for an outstanding paper. We encourage submissions from those who received high marks or positive feedback from the Program Committee reviewers, your session’s discussant or others. The winning paper will automatically be accepted for the 2009 AERA Annual Meeting as part of a session sponsored by the AERA/SIG: Consortium of State and Regional Educational Research Associations (SRERA). The award also includes a monetary stipend to help defray the recipient’s travel expenses to AERA.

If you wish to enter your paper for consideration, please e-mail two copies of your paper to the 2008 Committee Chair, Craig Wells, (cswells@educ.umass.edu) no later than October 30, 2008. Please send one BLIND copy of your paper and one copy with your name and the following information: affiliation, address, email address and phone number.

Please note that the paper is to be based on your NERA presentation and should not include information that differs substantially from that which you actually presented at the NERA conference. Papers in the Research-in-Progress sessions are not appropriate for submission. In addition, papers should be limited to no more than a total of 20 double spaced pages (not including Tables/Figures or References).

NOMINATIONS FOR THE THOMAS F. DONLON MEMORIAL AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED MENTORING

The Thomas F. Donlon Award for Distinguished Mentoring was established in recognition of Tom Donlon's long and valued contributions to NERA, particularly as a mentor to so many colleagues. Generations of scholars at Educational Testing Service, at Thomas Edison State College, in NERA and in myriad professions are devoted to Tom for the guidance he provided them. The award is presented at annual NERA conferences to recognize a member of NERA who has shown distinction as a mentor.

Nominations are sought for the annual award and nominees must be members of NERA and may be nominated by any member (or members) of NERA to whom they served as a mentor. If you would like to see a member of NERA who was your mentor be recognized for his/her contributions, nominations must be accompanied by documentation indicating the ways in which the nominee distinguished him/herself as a mentor. The award is presented at the Thursday luncheon at the annual conference.

Please send your nominations to:
Samantha Feinman, Pace University
sfeinman@pace.edu.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE TEACHER-AS-RESEARCHER AWARD

The Teacher-as-Researcher award is presented annually by NERA to a preschool-grade 12 teacher who has conducted a self-initiated classroom research project or applied research findings to inform his or her own teaching. The project must be conceptualized, developed, and implemented as part of the nominee’s own teaching practices and have had at least one cycle of tryout and evaluation. The project should also be related to a clearly defined theoretical focus and represent an innovation that has led to some real change in practice.

Classroom teachers are invited to apply directly for this award or be nominated by NERA members, school administrators, faculty mentors, or others familiar with the teacher’s work. All applications/nominations should follow the format of the Teacher-as-Researcher Award application form and be postmarked no later than June 1, 2008. Download application form (PDF)

The 2008 recipient will be invited to speak about the research project at a special session at the annual NERA meeting in October and be presented with the award at that time. The award includes a plaque, NERA membership, $150 toward travel, and two full-days of meals and lodging at the Hartford Marriott Rocky Hill, Rocky Hill, CT, NERA’s conference site.

Please send applications and address inquiries about the award to:
Dr. Dolores Burton, New York Institute of Technology, School of Education, Wisser Library,
336 Northern Blvd., Old Westbury, New York 11568
E-mail: dburton@nyit.edu   Phone: 516 686 7798   Fax: 516 686 7655

LEO D. DOHERTY MEMORIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO NERA

The Leo D. Doherty Memorial Award is given to a NERA member who exemplifies the qualities which Leo Doherty brought to NERA, as well as to his colleagues, friends and students. He encouraged others to commit themselves to goals that were personally meaningful, he personally demonstrated how staff should work honestly, and he dealt fairly and equitably and credited those who implemented activities. He supported professional associations, served in several capacities, and encouraged colleagues and staff to participate in professional association activities.

The recipient of this award is determined by a committee of former recipients rather than by nominations from the membership. The award, in the form of a plaque, is announced and presented at the annual conference.