Editor’s Note: This post has been updated to reflect the DOE’s new deadline for 2020 Big Apple Award nominations. All references to the old deadline (December 2) have been removed and replaced with the new deadline, Monday, December 9, 2019.
Do you know a great teacher?
Then get ready, because the eighth annual Big Apple Awards are here!
The Big Apple Awards is New York City’s educator recognition program that honors and celebrates educators who go above and beyond for their students and school communities. Since 2013, 105 teachers have received a Big Apple Award, including 17 last year.
Nominating a teacher for the Big Apple Awards is a great way for students, families, teachers, administrators, school employees, and community members to show their appreciation for the great work happening in City classrooms. Please help us recognize and celebrate some of our City’s best teachers by nominating your favorite teachers by Monday, December 9.
To qualify, nominees must be current, full-time public school teachers in City district schools, charter programs, or early childhood education centers who inspire their students, exemplify great teaching, and improve their school communities.
In addition, for the second year, we will be honoring school counselors with the Big Apple College and Career Counselor Award. This new award will recognize counselors who:
- have made significant strides in advancing postsecondary readiness;
- provided exemplary college and career supports and services at their school; and
- demonstrated success on critical postsecondary metrics.
Once this year’s cohort of Big Apple Award recipients are selected and identified in spring 2020, they will each be given the opportunity to participate in the Big Apple Fellowship and represent teachers citywide during monthly meetings as members of the Chancellor’s Teacher Advisory Group during the 2020–21 school year.
To learn more the awards, visit the Big Apple Awards webpage. If you have questions, please email us at TeacherExcellence@schools.nyc.gov.
Remember: this year’s nominations must be submitted by Monday, December 9. So if you have a teacher or counselor in mind that you would like considered for a Big Apple Award, submit your nomination TODAY!

Give your teacher a chance at one of the most meaningful apples they can ever receive by nominating them for the 2020 Big Apple Awards by December 9, 2019!