PhysTEC Teacher of the Year

About this program

PhysTEC (Physics Teacher Education Coalition) is soliciting nominations for its 2025 PhysTEC Teacher of the Year awards, recognizing outstanding in‑service high‑school physics teachers at local and national levels; nominations are due 30 August 2026 and are submitted via an online form. Awards (multiple local winners and one National Teacher of the Year) honor leadership in supporting in‑service and pre‑service physics teachers and efforts to increase and diversify physics enrollment at the undergraduate level. Eligible nominees must be currently employed as in‑service secondary teachers at least half‑time, have at least three years of full‑time secondary classroom teaching experience by the start of the 2025–26 school year, and be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; self‑nominations are accepted. Local winners receive certificates, recognition letters, and reduced AAPT/PhysTEC conference registration; the National Teacher of the Year also receives travel funding and an invitation to speak at an AAPT meeting and a $1,000 classroom materials grant.