The CSPA National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year Award recognizes an educator who teaches innovative media techniques, mentors student journalists and encourages media careers. Columbia Scholastic Press Association manages and sponsors the award, with the Dow Jones News Fund as co-sponsor.
One Teacher of the Year is selected annually, alongside Distinguished Adviser and Special Recognition Adviser honors. The 2026 cycle evaluated work from the 2024–2025 academic year, and applications are now closed.
Benefits & funding
- The Teacher of the Year receives a plaque, an iPad and Apple Pencil, and one residential student place in a chosen CSPA Summer Workshop class.
- The top recipient receives travel, lodging and registration for the 2026 and 2027 CSPA Annual Spring Conventions, plus CSPA membership for 2026–2027.
- Distinguished Advisers receive a plaque, Spring Convention registration, 2026–2027 membership and one virtual student workshop registration; Special Recognition Advisers receive a plaque, convention registration and membership.
Eligibility
- Applicants must have at least three years of experience as high school journalism teachers or media advisers.
- CSPA membership is not required.
- Previous Teachers of the Year cannot apply again; former Distinguished Advisers and Special Recognition Advisers may reapply.
- The published criteria do not state a nationality, residency, degree, age or gender restriction.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Experience required
≥ 3 yrs
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Application process
- 1Review the official criteria and preview the application questions when the next cycle opens.
- 2Complete the online application and submit up to three support letters, an updated résumé and a 120 × 120 pixel color headshot in JPEG or TIFF format.
- 3After submission, send six copies of the single best newspaper or newsmagazine issue from the evaluated academic year to CSPA.
Program timeline
Recorded deadline for the 2026 application cycle; the current official page confirms closure but no longer displays the exact date.
Dec 15, 2025
The 2026 Teacher of the Year was announced.
Feb 24, 2026
The 2026 awards were presented at the CSPA Spring Convention in New York City.
Mar 19, 2026
Next cycle
The official site has not published an exact reopening date.