As a means to celebrateAFS-USA believes that we must all work together to create active global citizens. Educators and schools are great partners in helping our next generation achieve global and intercultural competence. To that end, celebrating those educators and schools who are going above and beyond in their classrooms and buildings is important.
AFS-USA has created two distinct awards to celebrate both individual educators and schools or districts that have made global engagement and intercultural learning a part of their everyday instruction and school environment. We hope to showcase an educator and school every year that will inspire others to weave culture and global thinking into their learning environments.
Throughout the fall semester, educators are asked to submit the following documentation as part of a 2-step nomination/application process:
Nomination:
- Professional Letter of Reference: This should speak to the global engagement/competence of the candidate in and out of the school building. (Max. 2 pages)
- Nomination Letter: This should speak to school and/or community engagement with people and activities representing a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. (Max. 2 pages)
- Supplemental Artifacts: These can include any additional documentation from photos, news articles, event programs, presentations, screen captures from social media, etc... (Max. 5 pages)
Application:
- Candidate's Curriculum Vitae (CV) (Max. 4 pages)
- Candidate's Personal Statement: What is the candidate's philosophy on global competence/intercultural learning in the classroom? (Max. 2 pages)
- Letter of Recommendation: This should be from a current or former parent or student that can speak to the candidate's knowledge, skills, and dispositions as outlined in the rubric. (Max. 2 pages)
- Lesson Plan/Building Activity Plan: This should show how the candidate incorporates global competence into the work that they do with learners. (Max. 3 pages)
- Supplemental Artifacts: These can include any additional documentation from photos, news articles, event programs, presentations, screen captures from social media, etc... (Max. 5 pages)
- Professional Headshot: This should be a high resolution photo of the candidate from the shoulders and above.
Deadlines, Terms & Conditions, and other details will be provided in the fall each year.
Winners will be invited to attend the AFS-USA ECA Workshop in Northern Virginia in March 2026.
Past AFS-USA Global Educators of the Year
2025 - Kirsten Salonga, English as a New Language Science Teacher & Department Chair (Virginia)
2024 - Elizabeth Chapman, English Teacher & Study Abroad Coordinator (Texas)
2023 - Lindsey Smaka, Chemistry & Global Studies Teacher (Minnesota)
2022 - Josh Amstutz, Math & Global Studies Teacher (Ohio)