The Nevada Department of Education (NDE), Office of Early Learning and Development (OELD), is pleased to launch the sixth year (school year 2025-2026) of our Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award.
Early childhood teachers have one of the most important jobs in the world- providing quality education to our state’s youngest learners and partnering with their families.
To nominate an early childhood teacher whose amazing work you’d like to recognize, complete our
Early Childhood Educator of the Year (EEOY) Award- Nomination Form
or scan the QR code:
*New THIS year:
Nominees will be notified of nomination and invited to apply during the nomination window of: March 2, 2026-April 27, 2026.
Nominate now to allow teachers time to complete their application before the end of the school year.
Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged. Celebrate yourself or a colleague today!
TIMELINE:
March 2, 2026:
- Nominations and Applications Open: Nominees will be notified of their nomination and invited to apply as soon as nominations are received. So nominate early!
April 27, 2026:
- Last day to nominate for 2025-26 school year
May 10, 2026:
- Last day to submit applications (if you haven’t already done so)
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Lead teachers of infant, toddler, and pre-K students in both general education and special education programs. These early learning programs include (but are not limited to): child care, licensed family child care providers, Head Start, Early Head Start, home visitors and early intervention, private school, charter school, district pre-K (i.e. Nevada Ready! State Pre K, ECSE, Title I, etc.), and itinerant/inclusion model.
***Teachers who were previously nominated or applied, but was not an award recipient, are eligible to participate again each year.
Please contact Anna Severens at aseverens@doe.nv.gov with any questions.