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Our annual Teacher Awards are back and bigger than ever! One of the highlights of our calendar, the ICA Teacher Awards are designed to reward our community’s exceptional work in leading education that is inspiring, global, and forward-thinking.
With awards for everything from Community Engagement to Team of the Year, you’re bound to know an educator who deserves a nomination. This year also sees the introduction of a new category – Student Project of the Year – to celebrate our young changemakers across the world.
What are this year’s categories?
This year sees returning categories by popular demand, as well as the addition of the brand new Student Project of the Year Award.
- Community Engagement Award – for an educator or school team that has strengthened connections beyond the classroom.
- IEYC Teacher of the Year Award – for an outstanding educator who brings the IEYC to life.
- IPC Teacher of the Year Award – for an educator who embodies the philosophy of the IPC.
- IMYC Teacher of the Year Award – for an educator who deeply understands the needs of adolescent learners.
- Leader of the Year Award – for an exceptional school leader who demonstrates vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to ICA values.
- Team of the Year Award – for a group of educators who collaborate with shared purpose, creativity and professionalism to deliver an outstanding education.
- Student Project of the Year Award – highlighting an exceptional piece of student work developed through the International Curriculum. There are two options for this category – to allow for solo and small group work and large and full class projects.
- People’s Choice Award for Most Inspiring Teacher – for a passionate advocate for learning whose influence extends far beyond the classroom. This award will be voted for by the ICA Community at the International Curriculum Conference. Nominees will be selected by the judging panel from all of the other categories at this year’s awards.
How should I choose who to nominate for which category?
The ICA Teacher Awards are an opportunity for schools and educators to celebrate each other’s achievements, so only third parties (like colleagues or school leaders) can nominate a candidate – self-nomination is not permitted. Only one entry per school per category is allowed, so think carefully about who in your school best fits the award criteria and how you can make their nomination stand out. Detailed entry criteria, including profiles of ideal winners for each category and the questions you’ll have to answer in your entry, are available in our entry pack.
What is the new Student Project of the Year Award?
The Student Project of the Year Award is here to highlight the incredible contribution students make to the ICA community, and how their work showcases the very best of our curricula. The award will highlight a truly exceptional piece of student work developed through the International Curriculum, celebrating students’ creativity, ambition, and connection of their learning with real-world challenges.
The award will be split into two categories – solo and small groups (max three), and large and full class – to reflect the breadth of different projects students undertake through our curricula. Choose a project that demonstrates your students’ love of learning and creativity, demonstrating meaningful student engagement and lasting learning.
Why make a nomination?
“The recognition is incredibly motivating and reminds you why teaching is such a rewarding profession.” – Swaranjali Masih, IEYC Teacher of the Year Winner, 2025
Much of the best teaching happens quietly in classrooms – but brilliant teachers deserve to have their hard work rewarded. Our Teacher Awards are a fantastic opportunity to show your teachers just how much you value their work and thank them for the exceptional job they do. Because our awards are third-party nominations only, even if your candidate doesn’t win, a nomination is an honour in itself. And if they do win, they will receive international recognition, including a trophy awarded at our annual conference and features across our website and social media channels.