Nominate your choice for the Turner Reading Teacher of the Year!
The Turner Reading Awards were established by the Turner Family Foundation in 2002. The award recognizes three outstanding reading teachers in the Springfield Public Schools district each year who go above and beyond for their students. One finalist will be named the Turner Reading Teacher of the Year.
In addition to the honor of being recognized, each finalist will receive a cash prize;
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- $6,000 is granted to the Turner Reading Teacher of the Year. $3,000 to be used in their classroom and $3,000 to be used at their personal discretion.
- $2,000 is granted to the two remaining finalists. Each finalist will receive a $2,000 prize – $1,000 to be used in their classrooms and $1,000 to be used at their personal discretion.
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Nominations Open: 12/11/2025
Nominations Close: 1/21/26
Nomination Guidelines
- The nominee demonstrates excellence in teaching reading in the classroom.
- The nominee goes to great lengths to instill a love of learning to read in their students.
- The nominee has made meaningful contribution to teaching reading.
- The nominee shows strong dedication, commitment and creativity in teaching reading.
- Nominees must be full-time certified teachers employed by Springfield Public Schools.
Nominations can be made by teachers, peers, parents, students, PTA members, business partners or interested community members.
If you know a teacher who meets these qualifications, please nominate them by filling out the nomination form below.
The three finalists will be recognized at the Celebrate SPS banquet when the Turner Reading Teacher of the Year is announced.