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Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching

  • Recognizing Excellence

    These awards were created in 1990 to honor elementary, middle, and high school teachers who share their energy and enthusiasm for science through creative and innovative methods to cultivate student interest in medicine and science.

    Meet Our 2022 Winners

     

  • What's at Stake?  $62,000

    Each year, TMA's Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching recognize and reward school teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. These teachers share their energy and enthusiasm for science with their students every day, thereby sparking students' interest in science. 

    Grand Prize: One Texas science teacher will receive $20,000 plus a $5,000 resource grant for his or her school science curriculum.

    Distinguished Awards: Three teachers (one at each level) will receive $7,000 and a $3,000 resource grant for their schools.

    Rookie Award: A teacher with less than seven years of experience will receive $5,000 plus $2,000 for his or her school.

     

    IMPORTANT:  Cash awards are generally taxable to the full extent permitted by law.  Please reach out to your own tax advisor regarding your specific tax questions.

     

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  • Celebrate Great Science Teachers

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    Who's eligible? 

    • Texas full-time public and private school science teachers with a minimum or two years' completed classroom experience.
    • Teachers must be returning to teach in a Texas classroom during the 2022-23 school year. 
    • All areas of science are welcome.

    Check back to send us your nominees for outstanding science teachers or self-nominate this summer.

    Are you a science teacher? We want to hear from you. Please take this short survey, click here.

    Now Closed  

  • TMA Honors Excellence in Science Teaching

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    TMA continues to receive an outstanding number of nominations and applications for this distinguished award program. Learn more about the Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching.

    About the Award 

  • What could a TMA membership mean for you, your practice, and your patients?

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  • Four Easy Steps

    1. Nominate a teacher or self-nominate. 
    2. The applicant will receive a confirmation email with instructions and links to complete an application.
    3. Submit a completed application form and supporting materials by the deadline and the first 50 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card.  All applicants are required to submit educational history and professional development information, three letters of support, a professional essay, and a portfolio.
    4. Receive a confirmation email upon completion. 

     

    Now Closed

  • To Donate

    To make a tax-deductible donation to the TMA Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching Program, visit the TMA Foundation. For more on the programs the foundation funds, contact Lisa Stark Walsh, TMA Foundation, at (800) 880-1300, ext. 1666, or (512) 370-1666.

     

  • Contact Information

    For more information regarding the award and application process, please contact:

    Attn: Science Teacher Award
    Texas Medical Association 
    401 W. 15th St.
    Austin, Texas 78701-1680

    (512) 370-1300, ext. 1606 or  ext. 1608

    Email: Science Teacher Award

     

  • Thank You

    The TMA Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching are funded by the TMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of TMA, thanks to an endowment established by Dr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Butler of Austin.