The DeKalb County Community Foundation, in partnership with the DeKalb County Regional Office of Education, invites residents to nominate outstanding education professionals for the 2026 Excellence in Education Awards. Nominations are due by October 31, 2025. Selected recipients will each receive a $1,000 award, a plaque, and public recognition at a ceremony in spring 2026.

Submit a nomination >

Now in its 27th year, the Excellence in Education Awards recognize teachers, administrators, and support staff who make a meaningful impact in DeKalb County schools. Every public school district and private school in the county is encouraged to nominate individuals in one of the award categories.

Award Categories:

• Pre-K – 5th Grade Teacher
• 6th – 8th Grade Teacher
• 9th – 12th Grade Teacher
• Administration
• Support Staff (including secretaries, aides, custodians, food service workers, bus drivers, and maintenance personnel)

To be eligible, nominees must have at least five years of service in their current school district and plan to continue employment in the upcoming school year. Nominees should also be respected by students, families, and colleagues, and actively involved in voluntary, unpaid community activities. Previous nominees who did not receive the award may be nominated again. Past recipients are not eligible. A list of past recipients is available on the Community Foundation website.

The awards are made possible through the generosity of the late Yvonne Johnson, a retired elementary school teacher from the Sycamore School District. In 1999, Yvonne established the DeKalb County Excellence in Education Award Fund at the Community Foundation.

All submitted nominations are reviewed by the nominee’s school district and evaluated by a local selection committee. For more information, contact Community Foundation Grants Director Jolene Willis at 815-748-5383 or j.willis@dekalbccf.org.