Awards

Individual students or student teams who exemplify exceptional accomplishment in gifted and talented education. Strong nominations demonstrate advanced ability and intellectual agency—extending, initiating, or applying their learning beyond standard expectations—in academic, creative, leadership, or other areas of demonstrated strength.

Students will be considered based on the following grade bands at the time of nomination submission:

• Primary PreK-grade 2

• Upper Elementary 3-5

• Middle Years grades 6-8

• High School grades 9-12

Eligibility

Maryland resident students enrolled in public, private, charter, or home school settings are eligible to apply.

High school graduates from the Class of 2026 may be nominated in the High School (Grades 9–12) category for accomplishments completed prior to high school graduation. Work completed after graduation is not eligible.

Questions about multi-grade teams or other unique situations should be directed to the awards committee chairs.

Scope:

This award recognizes individual student or team accomplishment and intellectual agency.

Click here for more information and to apply.

School system employees whose practice demonstrates exceptional impact on gifted or advanced learners within a classroom, grade level, counseling setting, pull-out program, or other small instructional context. The nominee exemplifies responsive, differentiated, and advanced practices that extend beyond standard position expectations and meaningfully support the academic and/or social-emotional development of gifted or advanced learners, including underserved or underrepresented populations.

This award honors educators and support professionals who are doing the work in ways that may serve as a model for others. While the impact may occur within a single classroom or small setting, the nominee’s practice reflects intentionality, expertise, and a level of implementation that contributes to understanding of how to effectively serve gifted or advanced learners.

This award recognizes classroom- or setting-level excellence and may include emerging collaboration or influence within the local instructional context. It is not intended to recognize schoolwide or district-level leadership.

Eligible nominees include school system employees working directly within instructional settings that serve gifted or advanced learners, including:

Eligibility

• Teachers

• Psychologists

• Counselors

• Paraprofessionals

• Department Chairs

• Specialists providing targeted services (e.g., executive functioning groups, social-emotional groups, advanced pull-out services)

Scope

This award recognizes classroom- or small-setting impact through direct practice with gifted or advanced learners.

Click here for more information and to apply.

School system employees, or school-connected groups, or individuals whose work has a significant and sustained impact on gifted or advanced learners, including underserved or underrepresented populations, beyond a single classroom or instructional setting. Nominees expand opportunities, strengthen services, and influence practices across multiple grade levels, student groups, or program areas within a school community.

This award recognizes individuals or groups who move beyond direct service to shape access, programming, and understanding of gifted or advanced learners at the local school level. Their work reflects intentional efforts to improve equity, expand opportunity, and build systems or structures that benefit multiple learners and stakeholders.

Eligibility

• Teachers

• Psychologists

• Counselors

• Paraprofessionals

• Department Chairs

• Principals or Administrators

• School-based Gifted & Talented Coordinators

• Parent Organizations or school-affiliated groups

Scope

This award recognizes school-level impact that expands programs, access, and opportunities across multiple groups or grade levels.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Individuals or organizations whose work has resulted in a significant, system-level impact on gifted or advanced learners, including underserved or underrepresented populations, across multiple schools or an entire local school system. The nominee expands access, influences policy or practice, and creates sustainable improvements that strengthen opportunities for advanced learners, with a clear focus on equity and excellence.

An eligible nominee may include individuals from public, private, or university settings, including but not limited to district-level staff, school-based leaders working across multiple schools, students, university partners, businesses, community leaders, or parent/caretaker organizations.

Scope

This award recognizes district-level impact that improves systems, programs, or policies across multiple schools.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Individuals or organizations whose work has significantly increased access, support, and opportunity for gifted or advanced learners within special populations* across multiple schools, systems, or communities. Nominees act as change agents by addressing barriers, expanding access, and improving outcomes for learners whose needs require targeted advocacy, specialized support, or differentiated opportunities.

Eligible nominees may include individuals or groups from public, private, or university settings, including district leaders, educators, university partners, students, businesses, community leaders, or parent/caretaker organizations.

Scope

This award recognizes targeted impact that increases access, support, and outcomes for specific underserved or underrepresented populations of gifted or advanced learners.

*(see award description for special populations description)

Click here for more information and to apply.

Individuals or organizations whose work has resulted in significant, sustained impact on gifted or advanced learners, including underserved or underrepresented populations, across multiple school systems or at the state level. The nominee influences policy, expands access, and creates scalable improvements that strengthen gifted or advanced education with a clear focus on equity and excellence.

An eligible nominee may include individuals or groups from public, private, or university settings, including but not limited to educators, district leaders, policymakers, students, university partners, businesses, community leaders, and parent/caretaker organizations.

Scope

This award recognizes multi-system or statewide impact through policy, advocacy, or scalable program development.

Click here for more information and to apply.