Awards

Individual students or student teams who exemplify exceptional accomplishments in gifted and talented education—including achievements in Academic Accomplishment, Changemaker initiatives, Creative Endeavor/Talent, or other remarkable areas—whose efforts go beyond standard expectations, demonstrating extraordinary dedication or meaningful impact.

Students will be considered based on the following grade bands*:

• Primary PreK-grade 2

• Upper Elementary 3-5

• Middle Years grades 6-8

• High School grades 9-12

Eligibility

Maryland resident school-age students (ages 4-18) in public, private, charter, or home school settings*.

*The category for an application should be based on the grade of enrollment in December 2025. Questions about multi-grade bands teams, or other unique situations should be directed to the awards committee chairs.

Click here for more information and to apply.

School system employees whose efforts and contributions have significantly impacted the local school level, including but not limited to:

• individual classrooms

• a single grade level

• within small instructional groups

Eligibility

• Teachers

• Psychologists

• Counselors

• Paraprofessionals

• Department Chairs

Click here for more information and to apply.

School system employees whose work and contributions have made a significant impact beyond their job description at the local school level, or local groups connected to the school whose outreach for gifted education spans multiple groups, multiple grade levels, and beyond

Eligibility

• Teachers

• Psychologists

• Counselors

• Paraprofessionals

• Department Chairs 

• Principals or Administrators,

• School-based Gifted & Talented Coordinators

• Parent Organizations

Click here for more information and to apply.

Individuals from public, private, or university settings whose work and contributions have significantly impacted multiple schools or an entire local school system.

Eligibility

• Local School Staff working at the District Level,

• District Level Staff, including:

  • Superintendents

  • Supervisors

  • System GT Coordinators

  • Specialists

• University Leaders

• Students

• Business, Community, or Local Leadership, 

• Caretaker/Parent Organizations

Click here for more information and to apply.

Those from public, private, or university settings, including lawmakers, policymakers, parents, students, or other individuals or groups whose work and contributions have had a significant impact on specific special populations at any level across the State of Maryland who act as change agents for their identified population*.

Eligibility

• Individuals, teams, or organizations who act as change agents for their respective population*

*(see award description for special populations description)

Click here for more information and to apply.

Individuals or groups from public, private, or university settings—including lawmakers, policymakers, parents, students, and others—whose work and contributions have had a significant impact on gifted education in multiple local school systems or across the State of Maryland.

Eligibility

• Local School Staff

• District Level Staff

• University Leadership

• Students at any grade/level

• Business Leaders

• Community Leaders

• State or Local Leadership

• Caretaker/Parent Organizations

• Other community members

Click here for more information and to apply.