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Martha W. Allen Friend of Public Education Award

An annual recognition of a person, organization or group whose leadership, acts, and support have contributed to the improvement of education on a state level.

PURPOSE

The Vermont-NEA members created the Martha W. Allen Friend of Public Education Award as an annual recognition of a person, organization, or group whose leadership, acts, and support have contributed to the improvement of public education on a state level.  

QUALIFICATIONS

A duly nominated individual, organization, or group shall have significantly contributed to the advancement of public education through exhibited leadership, acts, and support of education on a statewide level; that establish the nominee as a true friend of education, education employees, and/or students.  A nominee need not be an American citizen but should reflect philosophies and principles that advance Vermont-NEA’s mission and strategic goals.  

NOMINATIONS

Any member of Vermont-NEA or any local association may nominate an individual, organization, or group to the Vermont-NEA Political Education Action Committee Steering Committee by completing an online nomination form and submitting it to the Vermont-NEA by February 1, 2027.  Each nomination must be signed and submitted by a Vermont-NEA member.

SELECTION OF RECIPIENT

The Vermont-NEA Political Education Action Committee Steering Committee, will review each duly submitted nomination and recommend a recipient to the Vermont-NEA Board of Directors for approval.

PRESENTATION

Presentation of the Martha W. Allen Friend of Public Education Award is presented at Vermont-NEA's annual Representative Assembly by the Vermont-NEA President.

NOMINATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE

The deadline for 2027 award submissions is February 1, 2027. The nomination form can be accessed by clicking here.

Recent Friend of Public Education Award Recipients

2025: US Representative Becca Balint

2026: Senator Tanya Vyhovsky

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The Union of Vermont Educators

The Vermont-National Education Association is the union of Vermont educators, 13,000 professionals who teach the state's children every day. As the state's largest union, Vermont-NEA is proud to represent the people who make a difference in the lives of students in classrooms across Vermont.
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The Vermont-NEA is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.

Learn more at NEA.org