Nominations are currently being accepted to recognize outstanding educators who teach preschool in Los Angeles County, to be honored for going above and beyond the call of duty to better prepare preschool students for elementary school and life.
The “Los Angeles County Preschool Teacher of the Year Awards,” sponsored by Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP), are open to all preschool teachers in Los Angeles County, including the Santa Clarita Valley. Candidates may nominate themselves or be nominated by anyone associated with the nominee’s preschool, such as parents, co-workers or administrators. One winner will be selected from each Los Angeles County supervisorial district for a total of five.  Each winner will receive a $2,000 cash award.
Winners, who will be notified by February 17, will have demonstrated a strong commitment to a quality preschool education and a dedication to making a positive contribution to the children they serve, using creative instructional strategies as well as contributing to the well-being of the child, preschool and community.
To obtain a nomination form, please visit www.laup.net/teacher.
To be considered, applications must be received by January 27.  Nominations will be screened and based upon a balanced, thoughtful and impartial evaluation, taking into consideration the candidate’s record.  The winners will be celebrated at an event that will be held in April.  
In 2008, LAUP created the Preschool Teacher of the Year Awards to recognize the contributions of preschool teachers in Los Angeles County and to highlight the importance of a high quality preschool experience.  LAUP did so because preschool teachers play a critical role in a young child’s social, educational and emotional development by nurturing the child’s confidence, inspiring their imagination and creativity and advocating for the well-being of the children and their families.
Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) is a non-profit organization established to provide high-quality preschool education to the children of Los Angeles County.  Since 2005, LAUP has touched the lives of more than 50,000 of preschool-aged children through enriching curricula and nurturing environments aimed to best prepare four-year-olds to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.  LAUP is primarily funded by First 5 LA.
For more information about the application process, please call 213-416-1274 or email lrocha@laup.net.