Nominations are now closed for the 2025 Congressional Education Awards
Overview
Congressman Vern Buchanan established the Congressional Education Awards in 2014 to give special recognition to the outstanding teachers, administrators, and support staff in Florida’s 16th Congressional District. Every year Congressman Buchanan hosts an award ceremony honoring the award recipients that were selected by an independent committee comprised of a cross section of 16th Congressional District residents with a background, or special interest, in education.
ELIGIBILITY: All current school or school district employees, appropriately credentialed, living and working with students in the 16th Congressional District. You can verify this information by using the "Find Your Representative" service.
This includes all public, private, and charter school employees - all positions eligible.
Nominations should be made for exceptional work that he or she does beyond the classroom for their students. Each nomination must have occurred within the 2025 - 2026 school year. There is no limitation as to how many nominations can be made by one person/school.
*Nominations will only be accepted from current school/district employees*
SUBMISSIONS: The deadline to submit nominations for 2025 has ended. Please check back for the nomination period in January 2026.
The recipients will be notified by the office of Congressman Buchanan and an award ceremony will be held during which the recipients will receive a Congressional Certificate and will also be recorded in the Congressional Record.
If you have any questions, please contact Cara Misiewicz at 941-951-6643 or Cara.Misiewicz@mail.house.gov
AWARD CATEGORIES:
Administrator Award: This award is for administrators to honor the exceptional work they did, specifically during the 2025 - 2026 school year. This category includes Principal, Vice Principal, Athletic Director, and Dean of Students.
Teacher Award: This award is for teachers to honor the exceptional work they did, specifically during the 2025 - 2026 school year. This category includes Teachers.
Support Staff Award: This award is for support staff to honor the exceptional work they did, specifically during the 2025 - 2026 school year. This category includes Administration Assistant, Bus Driver, Cafeteria Worker, Coach, Counselor, Custodian, Librarian/Media Specialist, Maintenance, Nurse, Registrar, Teacher's Aid, Therapist, and School Guardian/SRO.
Career Service Award: This award is open to any position and is to recognize and honor an individual(s) that, over the course of their career, has shown an outstanding dedication to education and to students.
