Celebrating Our Everyday Heroes: Nominations Now Open for The Barbara J Birks Above & Beyond Award
Through our nonprofit arm, The Undie Chest, we are excited to announce the launch of the Barbara J Birks Above & Beyond Award, following our recent Teacher and School Nurse Appreciation Month in May. This award honors the exceptional contributions of teachers and school nurses who go above and beyond in their roles, providing invaluable support and care to students.
Recognizing Teachers and School Nurses
Teachers and school nurses are fundamental to the success and well-being of students. Teachers inspire and educate, laying the foundation for lifelong learning and growth. School nurses, often the unsung heroes, ensure students' health and well-being, providing crucial care and support that often goes unnoticed.
In May, we celebrated our first annual Teacher and School Nurse Appreciation Month, recognizing these professionals' hard work and dedication.
Now, we are thrilled to continue this spirit of appreciation with the Barbara J Birks Above & Beyond Award. This award, named in honor of Barbara J. Birks, mother of our Founder Elaine Birks-Mitchell, is dedicated to recognizing teachers and school nurses in Arizona who demonstrate exceptional dedication, compassion, and innovation in their work.
How to Nominate
Starting August 1, 2024, we invite the community to nominate outstanding teachers and school nurses for the Barbara J Birks Above & Beyond Award. Nominations can be made by students, parents, colleagues, or community members who can provide stories or testimonials highlighting the nominee's extraordinary contributions.
Nomination Key Dates:
Nominations Open: August 1, 2024
Nominations Close: October 4, 2024
Review Period: October 7 - October 25, 2024
Award Winner Contacted: October 28, 2024
Public Announcement: Week of November 4, 2024
Eligibility and Selection Process
To be eligible, nominees must currently work as teachers or school nurses in an Arizona school. The selection process includes a comprehensive review of each nominee's achievements, such as:
✔️ Their length of service
✔️ Efforts to create a positive and inclusive environment
✔️ Examples of going above and beyond traditional role expectations.
A panel will carefully evaluate the nominations, considering the nominee's impact on students and the broader school community.
The recipient of the Barbara J Birks Above & Beyond Award will be honored with a special ceremony, a certificate, a $500 monetary award, and public recognition for their exceptional contributions.
Support Our Teachers and School Nurses
In addition to recognizing these dedicated professionals, we encourage community support through donations.
Contributions help us provide financial grants to deserving teachers and school nurses and support our ongoing initiatives, such as the Everyone Deserves Underwear (E.D.U) program, aimed at assisting students in need.
As a Qualified Charity Organization in Arizona (ID: 22654), donations to The Undie Chest are eligible for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, with limits based on filing status.
To nominate someone deserving for this award, please follow the link below and be sure to check out the award guidelines here.
