Timeline

Nominations Open: March 27 – May 14, 2026

Nomination Deadline: Thursday, May 14, 2026 

Award Presentation: Winners will be announced at the August 2026 Convocation.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

Notes About Eligibility

• District and Building Administrators are not eligible for either award.
• Nominations remain active for five (5) years, provided the nominee remains eligible (e.g. has not already won the award or left the district). New nominations for previously nominated staff members will be added to their existing file for consideration.
• Previous awardees may be considered for re-nomination after a period of at least five (5) years. However, priority will be given to new nominees to ensure a diverse range of recognition. Be sure to check out the list of past recipients in the section below prior to making a nomination.

The Nomination Process

Submit a single Narrative Statement of 150 words or more. 
Preferred but not required: include one to four statements of support, one of which must be from a coworker, supervisor, or administrator.
 
Your statement should be a comprehensive "story of excellence" that includes:

• The Foundation: A brief overview of the nominee’s work history and any significant achievements or honors they have received.
• The Impact: Detailed examples of how they meet the award criteria—such as their consistency, positive attitude, technical skill, or ability to foster cooperative relationships. See the complete list below.
• The Result: How their dedication plays a vital role in the daily operations of Xenia Schools and makes a positive difference for students and colleagues.

Staff Member of the Year Criteria
A nominee for Staff Person of the Year should demonstrate excellence through the following:

• Responsibility & Consistency: Demonstrates high-quality work and professional integrity; ensures the safe and efficient operation of their department.
• Empathy & Respect: Fosters cooperative, respectful relationships with students, colleagues, and the community; is widely respected by their peers.
• Communication: Demonstrates a positive attitude and has a visible, positive effect on others through clear and helpful interactions.
• Learner’s Mindset: Actively seeks new knowledge, masters new technical skills, and utilizes technology effectively to improve their work.
• Critical Thinking & Innovation: Demonstrates outstanding leadership by finding creative solutions to operational challenges and improving district culture.
• Perseverance: Maintains a steady, reliable presence and a growth mindset, ensuring our schools remain welcoming environments even during challenging times.
• Excellence: Excels in other unique ways that define this person as an essential member of the Xenia Community Schools team.

The Nomination Process
Submit a single Narrative Statement of 300 words or more. 
Preferred but not required: one to four statements of support, one of which must be from a colleague or administrator.

Your statement should be a comprehensive "story of excellence" that includes:

• The Foundation: A brief overview of the nominee’s professional background (years of service, education, and any past honors).
• The Impact: Detailed examples of how they meet the award criteria, such as instilling a desire to learn, mastering their subject matter, or fostering student self-esteem. See the complete list below.
• The Result: How their specific actions have substantively improved the education of Xenia students and the culture of their building.

Educator of the Year Criteria
A nominee for Educator of the Year should demonstrate excellence. Nominations should be based on at least one (1) of the following criteria:

• Learner’s Mindset: Instills in students a lifelong desire to learn and achieve; actively works to improve their own professional skill sets and knowledge.
• Empathy: Understands the individual needs of students, encourages their unique talents, and fosters their self-esteem through a culture of respect.
• Communication: Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of subject matter and the ability to share it effectively with students, families, and colleagues.
• Critical Thinking & Innovation: Employs innovative instructional strategies and leadership to solve classroom challenges and improve student outcomes.
• Responsibility & Collaboration: Partners with students and families to create a school culture of success while maintaining the highest professional standards.
• Perseverance: Models resilience and a growth mindset, helping students navigate challenges and persist through difficult tasks.
• Excellence: Demonstrates personal responsibility and professional integrity, serving as a role model, or excels in other unique ways that define this person as an outstanding representative of Xenia Community Schools.

The Educator of the Year Award is open to professional staff whose primary role is the academic, emotional, or developmental instruction of students. This includes: Teachers, Librarians, Special Education Providers, Instructional Coaches, and School Counselors.

The Staff Person of the Year Award is open to employees who provide the essential infrastructure, safety, and operational support that allows learning to happen. This includes: Paraprofessionals, Classroom Aides, Front Office & Admin Support (e.g., secretaries, registrars, clerks), Operations & Facilities Team, Nutrition Services, and Transportation.