These awards recognize exceptional educators and outstanding work that have a lasting impact on student learning, engagement and well-being.
Nominate Educators from Your School
The following awards will be presented to educators:
- Teaching Excellence
- Outstanding New Teacher
- Outstanding Team Collaboration
- Outstanding School Leader
- Premier’s Award for Excellence in Education
Nominate Individuals for Excellence in School Nutrition
The Nello Altomare Award will be presented to an individual or a team of up to three individuals* delivering an outstanding universal nutrition program in a public school.
*Nominees do not need to be educators.
Steps to Nominate Educators
- Check if your educator is eligible
To be eligible, the educator must:
- hold a valid, permanent Manitoba teaching certificate, and
- work directly with Kindergarten to Grade 12 students on a daily basis in a Manitoba school
Note: An educator can only be nominated in one award category per year. If they were a recipient in an award category in a previous year, they cannot be nominated in the same category again.
Check if you can be a nominator
You can nominate an educator for an award if you have direct knowledge of the nominee’s contribution to education.
Eligible nominators include:
- students
- parents and legal guardians
- colleagues
- school administrators
- school division administrators
- school trustees
Each nomination needs two nominators. One must be an educator from the nominee’s school or a school division administrator. Self-nominations and family member submissions are not accepted.
Prepare your nomination package
Your nomination package must be complete in order to be reviewed by the selection committee. Be sure to include all signed and dated nomination letters and forms, as described below. Note: multimedia files will not be accepted.
- Award Nomination Form (
422 KB) - Two nomination letters (one from each nominator)
Each nominator must provide a nomination letter that explains how the nominee meets all criteria for an award category (see Criteria for each award category). Each letter must be typed, signed and dated. See sample layout of a nomination letter. - Supervisor’s Nomination Support Form ( 315 KB)
The nominee’s immediate supervisor (principal) needs to complete this form. If the nominee is the principal, the immediate supervisor is either the superintendent or assistant superintendent of the school division.
Important: Before filling out the Supervisor’s Nomination Support Form, the nominee’s immediate supervisor should read both nomination letters and the completed Award Nomination Form.
Note: This form is not required if the immediate supervisor is one of the nominators who is providing a nomination letter
- Award Nomination Form (
Submit your nomination
Submit nomination packages by mail, email, or fax by December 6, 2026, to:
Selection Committee*
Manitoba’s Excellence in Education Awards
Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning
509–1181 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3G 0T3
Email: excellence@gov.mb.ca
Fax: 204-948-3234* The selection committee may include representatives from the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, the Manitoba School Boards Association, the Manitoba Federation of Independent Schools and Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning.
Steps to Nominate Individuals for a Nutrition Award
Check if the nominees are eligible
Up to three individuals may be nominated. To be eligible, nominees must:
- work on a daily basis in a Kindergarten to Grade 12 public school in Manitoba, and
- play a key role in delivering a universal school nutrition program
Note: Nominees are not required to hold a teaching certificate for this award. They may only be nominated in one award category per year. If they were recipients of the Nello Altomare Award in a previous year, they cannot be nominated for the same award again.
Check if you can be a nominator
You can submit a nomination if you have direct knowledge of the excellent work carried out by the individual or team being nominated.
Eligible nominators include:
- students
- parents and legal guardians
- colleagues
- school administrators
- school division administrators
- school trustees
Each nomination needs two nominators. One must be an educator from the nominee’s school or a school division administrator. Self-nominations and family member submissions are not accepted.
Prepare your nomination package
Your nomination package must be complete in order to be reviewed by the selection committee. Be sure to include all signed and dated nomination letters and forms, as described below. Note: Multimedia files will not be accepted.
- Award Nomination Form ( 385 KB)
- Two nomination letters (one from each nominator)
Each nominator must provide a nomination letter that explains how the nominee meets all criteria for an award category (see Criteria for each award category). Each letter must be typed, signed and dated. See sample layout of a nomination letter. - Supervisor’s Nomination Support Form ( 361 KB)
The nominee’s immediate supervisor (principal) needs to complete this form. If the nominee is the principal, the immediate supervisor is either the superintendent or assistant superintendent of the school division.
Important: Before filling out the Supervisor’s Nomination Support Form, the nominee’s immediate supervisor should read both nomination letters and the completed Award Nomination Form.
Note: This form is not required if the immediate supervisor is one of the nominators who is providing a nomination letter.
- Award Nomination Form (
Submit your nomination
Submit nomination packages by mail, email, or fax by December 6, 2026, to:
Selection Committee*
Manitoba’s Excellence in Education Awards
Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning
509–1181 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3G 0T3
Email: excellence@gov.mb.ca
Fax: 204-948-3234* The selection committee may include representatives from the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, the Manitoba School Boards Association, the Manitoba Federation of Independent Schools and Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning.
Criteria for Each Award Category
- responds to students’ needs
[Nomination tip: Include concrete examples of engaging and purposeful learning activities that the teacher provides. Explain how these address students’ intellectual, social, emotional and physical needs.] - supports student achievement
[Nomination tip: Describe the teacher’s effective practices that encourage students to want to learn, help them develop their skills and knowledge, and contribute to their success.] - positively impacts school culture
[Nomination tip: Give specific examples of how the teacher makes a positive impact on the school culture.]
- demonstrates exceptional qualities as a new educator
[Nomination tip: Include clear examples that show how the nominee stands out as a new teacher through strong personal qualities and professional practices.] - positively impacts student learning and school culture
[Nomination tip: Give specific examples that show how the new teacher makes a positive impact on student learning and on the school culture.]
- Explain how it was developed through genuine collaboration and implemented as a team rather than individually.
[Nomination tip: Describe the team’s initiative. Highlight what makes it outstanding and how it goes beyond regular teaching responsibilities. Explain how it was developed through genuine collaboration and implemented as a team, rather than individually.] - addresses student needs through collaboration
[Nomination tip: Identify the student needs that this initiative addressed. Provide specific examples that show how these needs were met through collaboration.] - positively impacts student learning and school culture
[Nomination tip: Provide specific examples that show how this collaborative initiative positively impacted student learning and school culture.] - leads with a clear vision
[Nomination tip: Provide specific examples to show how the leader’s vision, direction and priorities help create an environment that supports student learning and engagement.] - empowers others
[Nomination tip: Give examples of how the leader empowers others and builds enthusiasm to accomplish the job at hand. Explain how the leader fosters an atmosphere of collaboration and trust everyone can thrive in.] - positively impacts the school culture and community
[Nomination tip: Provide specific examples that help describe the positive impact that their leadership has on the school culture and community.]
- upholds excellence in program standards
[Nomination tip: Explain how the nominated individual or team upports the guiding principles of the universal school nutrition program. Include examples of how the nominated individual or team:- meets the needs of their school community
- helps remove barriers for students to access the program
- provides nutritious food options that accommodate cultural and dietary needs
- builds partnerships]
- demonstrates creativity and leadership
[Nomination tip: Give examples of creative ideas the nominated individual or team has used to enhance the nutrition program. Describe how their leadership has improved the program in terms of accessibility, quality and sustainability.] - engages students in meaningful ways
[Nomination tip: Describe how the nominated individual or team involves students in the nutrition program. Include examples such as leadership opportunities, ways for students to share feedback, and educational activities that promote healthy eating and well-being.]
Teaching Excellence Award
Requirement: The nominee must have taught in a Manitoba school for more than two years as of June 2026.
Award Criteria: These teachers demonstrate exemplary professional practices and an exceptional ability to inspire students and colleagues. This includes the following:
Outstanding New Teacher Award
Requirement: The nominee must have a maximum of two years of teaching experience as of June 2026.
Award Criteria: These new teachers show great enthusiasm and skills for fostering a love of learning in students. This includes the following:
Outstanding Team Collaboration Award
Requirement: The nominated team must consist of two to four educators.
Award Criteria: These educators demonstrate outstanding collaboration in leading an exceptional initiative that fosters student learning and engagement. This includes the following:
Outstanding School Leader Award
Requirement: The nominee must be a principal or vice-principal.
Award Criteria: These passionate school leaders demonstrate an exceptional ability to bring out the best in both students and staff. Through their leadership, they help create a stimulating learning environment where every individual can thrive. This includes the following:
Premier’s Award for Excellence in Education
These educators distinguish themselves by their remarkable contribution to student learning and engagement. Recipients of this award are selected from among all the nominees in the above categories.
Nello Altomare Award for Excellence in School Nutrition
Requirement: The nomination may include one to three individuals delivering a nutrition program in a school. Nominees are not required to hold a teaching certificate.
Award Criteria: These individuals demonstrate strong leadership and commitment in delivering a high-quality universal school nutrition program in their schools. This includes the following:
