The purpose of these awards is to honor United States public and private high school teachers who have made significant contributions in the area of law-related education. The Lillian B. Jarvis Award is specifically earmarked for those teachers in Title I schools, as these schools typically do not have additional resources to supplement the classroom education but these teachers are doing amazing jobs.

For both Awards, the evaluation will be based on how the teacher:

• Furthered the understanding of the role of the courts, law enforcement agencies and the legal profession
• Helped students recognize their responsibilities as well as their rights
• Encouraged effective law-related education programs in their schools and communities
• Increased communication among students, educators and those involved professionally in the legal system

 The winner(s) will be presented a check in the amount of $3,000 each at the Annual Meeting of the American Lawyers Alliance in 2025. An additional $1,000 for hotel and travel expenses will be given to the recipient to attend the Awards Breakfast. If the ALA Annual Meeting is virtual, there will be no travel expenses.

Nominations for either the American Lawyers Alliance National Teacher of the Year or the Lillian B. Jarvis Teacher of the Year Award may be submitted by the applicant, school administrators, other teachers, students, lawyers, judges, professional members of the community, or any other interested parties by May 31st.

1. A completed online Application Form (see below)
2. A résumé (maximum of one page)
3. A summary of law-related education activities (maximum of three pages)
4. Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the project
5. Relevant supportive evidence such as newspaper articles or other publications that describe the nominee’s program (if available)

• Applicants must currently be teaching in public or private high schools in the United States.
• Applications must be submitted online.  See below for online application.
• American Lawyers Alliance Board Members may not submit entries or write letters of recommendation for applicants.
• Home-school teachers are ineligible.
• Remote teachers are eligible.
• Teachers who applied but did not win in previous years are encouraged to reapply.
• Due to the large number of qualified teachers, a teacher may win an ALA LRE TOY Award only once.
• For applications for the Lillian B. Jarvis Teacher of the Year, nominees must currently be teaching in public TITLE I High Schools in the United States.

Entries must be submitted online no later than May 31.  Any questions and or additional information should be submitted to the award chairperson listed below:

Teacher of the Year Award Chair

Margarent Settle

settlemom@yahoo.com