COE Retired Educator’s Award

Nominations Accepted: October 10, 2024 – November 13, 2024 

Late or incomplete nominations will not be accepted after 11:59 am  Eastern Time (ET) on November 13, 2024 

To start the application, click here

This commendation acknowledges exceptional leadership by retired occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educators who have demonstrated commitment to the advancement of occupational therapy education. 

Criteria for the Commendation

Nominees must:

• Be an AOTA member in good standing at the time the commendation is given. 
• Be nominated by an OT/OTA Program Director or colleague who is very familiar with the nominee’s record.
• Have held an academic research and/or teaching appointment in a college or university and be retired, or have formally stated an intent to retire, within 1 year of nomination for the commendation; and
• Have contributed to occupational therapy education in three or more of the following ways:

1. By providing leadership to professional organizations at regional, state, or national levels (e.g., committee membership, elected positions).
2. By making contributions to occupational therapy education at the local, state, and national levels (e.g., conference presentation, workshop facilitation).
3. By making contributions to educational research or publications on behalf of occupational therapy education (e.g., journal articles, textbook chapters).
4. By being recognized as an innovative teacher who has shown consistent dedication to the education of occupational therapy and/or occupational therapy assistant students (e.g., teaching awards, service awards).
5. By being recognized for effective teaching strategies that facilitate critical thinking in students and having mentored their development into future leaders of the profession (e.g., student feedback, audiovisual material development, and distance education).
6. By providing leadership to community activities related to occupational therapy education (e.g., community presentations).
7. By having demonstrated effective advocacy for occupational therapy education in the community, region, and state or at a national level (e.g., talks at high schools and colleges, career fairs).

Recognition Process: Educators selected for this commendation will receive a certificate of commendation in the mail and will have their name displayed at the Awards and Recognitions Ceremony at AOTA INSPIRE.