Brooklyn residents can nominate public school teachers for the eighth annual FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence, which recognizes educators whose teaching, creativity and commitment make a difference in their schools and communities.
Nominations are open through Nov. 29, 2026, for full-time teachers in New York City public schools serving students from 3K through 12th grade. Nominees must have at least five years of teaching experience. Students, parents, principals, teachers and other school community members are eligible to submit nominations.
Six grand-prize winners will be selected for the 2026-27 awards cycle. One winner will represent each of New York City’s five boroughs, while an additional winner will be selected from educators serving students in 3K through fifth grade.
“Exceptional teachers do more than help students succeed in the classroom. They help young people imagine possibilities for themselves that they may not have seen before,” added Amanda Fuhrman, co-founder of The FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence.
Each grand-prize winner will receive $25,000, and the winner’s school will receive $10,000 for an arts-based initiative. Finalists will receive $10,000, with their schools receiving $5,000 for arts programming.
The awards provide Brooklyn residents with a way to recognize teachers whose work extends beyond traditional classroom instruction. During the 2025-26 cycle, Brooklyn educators Rayhan Ahmed of Gotham Professional Arts Academy and Shaude Tyson of P.S. 262 El Hajj Malik El Shabazz Elementary School received grand prizes.
Ahmed, a chemistry and environmental biochemistry teacher, incorporates environmental justice issues and field research into science instruction. Tyson, a special education teacher, uses hands-on activities to connect academic lessons with real-world experiences.
Teachers are evaluated through the award’s CREATE framework, which considers innovative instruction, community impact, dedication, student potential, leadership and professional growth. An independent jury of education and civic leaders selects the winners.
Semi-finalists will be notified in February 2027, with winners announced and honored in June 2027. The awards are funded by The FLAG Foundation for Excellence in Education and The Fuhrman Family Foundation.
Nominations can be submitted through the FLAG Award website before the Nov. 29 deadline.
