2027 Professional Awards: CEC Outstanding Paraeducator Award

CEC recognizes the essential role that paraeducators play in providing key support to teachers, aiding in student learning, and helping classrooms to be more inclusive. The CEC Outstanding Paraeducator Award honors CEC paraeducator members who are currently involved in direct or related services to students with disabilities and provide exemplary service to students and special educators.

Eligibility

The Outstanding CEC Leadership Award recipient must:

1. Be a current CEC member at the time of nomination and granting of the award;
2. Demonstrate CEC’s core values:

• Visionary Thinking: Demonstrated by forward-thinking and courageous decision-making dedicated to excellence and influence in an evolving environment.
• Integrity: Demonstrated by ethical, responsive behavior; transparency; and accountability.
• Inclusiveness: Demonstrated by a commitment to diversity, caring, and respect for the dignity and worth of all individuals.

In addition, awardees will be selected based on standards identified by the National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals Model. This includes assisting teachers with: 

• Building and maintaining effective instructional teams
• Maintaining learner-centered supportive environments
• Planning and organizing learning experiences
• Engaging students in learning and instruction
• Assessing learner needs, progress, and achievement
• Meeting standards of professional and ethical conduct

Recognition and Benefits

The award recipient will be:

• Provided with complimentary registration to attend the CEC Convention & Expo
• Recognized, and receive a commemorative plaque, at an Awards Luncheon
• Given a $500 cash honorarium; and
• Featured in a press release on the CEC website (https://exceptionalchildren.org)

How to Nominate

Nomination Materials

• A letter/statement of support from the nominator
• One (1) additional letters/statements of support, not including the nominator's, from a colleague, supervisor, or other professional
• The nominee's Vita/Resume

Nomination Process

• All application materials must be submitted together to CEC Headquarters by September 30, 2026.
• Alternatively, responses can be emailed to Stephen Alleyne at salleyne@exceptionalchildren.org.
• Please use file name(s) to clearly indicate reference to the nominee and award. (e.g., “Smith_Lifetime_Award.docx” or “Smith_Lifetime_Nomination.docx”).
• All materials become the property of CEC and will not be returned.