Annual awards recognize excellence in teaching, research, and advocacy
A nationally known expert in literacy studies who is leading a transformative higher education center, a former elected leader of four national literacy organizations, and a scholar of diverse young adult literature are among the winners of the 2025 51ΑΤΖζ Council of Teachers of English Leadership Awards.
βIt is a joyful day when we have the opportunity to honor the professionβs leaders for their unwavering dedication to fostering literacy and to bolstering English language arts educators everywhere,β said 51ΑΤΖζ President Tonya B. Perry, who is also provost and vice president of academic affairs at Miles College. βOur 2025 Leadership Award winners are doing crucial work that will benefit students for years to come.β
The 51ΑΤΖζ Leadership Awards are presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated leadership and commitment in advancing literacy, the field of education, and 51ΑΤΖζ, the professional organization for literacy teachers spanning preKβcollege. Awardees are nominated by 51ΑΤΖζ members.
βThe 51ΑΤΖζ Leadership Awards remind us to pause and reflect on the immense contributions of our members and colleagues to building a more literate society through English language arts education,β 51ΑΤΖζ Executive Director Emily Kirkpatrick said. βIt is a privilege to honor these literacy leaders and to count them as part of our 51ΑΤΖζ community.β
2025 Leadership Award Recipients
James R. Squire Award: Ernest Morrell, University of Notre Dame
Distinguished Service Award: Douglas Hesse, University of Denver
51ΑΤΖζ Advancement of People of Color Leadership Award: E. Sybil Durand, University of Arizona
51ΑΤΖζ Leadership Award for People with Disabilities: Brittany R. Collins, Write the World, Inc.
51ΑΤΖζ LGBTQIA+ Advocacy and Leadership Award: Josh Thompson, Virginia Tech
51ΑΤΖζ Media Literacy Award: Cassie J. Brownell, University of Toronto
David H. Russell Award for Distinguished Research in the Teaching of English: The Magnitude of Us: An Educatorβs Guide to Creating Culturally Responsive Classrooms by Marlee S. Bunch
51ΑΤΖζ 51ΑΤΖζ Intellectual Freedom Award: Frank Strong, KIPP Austin Collegiate High School, Texas Freedom to Read Project
51ΑΤΖζ 51ΑΤΖζ Intellectual Freedom Award Honorable Mention: Ben Hodge and Patricia A. Jackson, Central York High School
Alan C. Purves Award: βHeteroglossia and Community Translanguaging in an English-Medium Classroom: Multilingual Elementary Studentsβ Use of Multiple Voices in Digital Textsβ by Lindsey Rowe
Award recipients will be honored during a ceremony at the in Denver on Saturday, November 22, at 7:30 a.m. ET.
Individuals who are interested in nominating an 51ΑΤΖζ member for a 2026 Leadership Award may fill out this form. Winners will be honored at next yearβs 51ΑΤΖζ Annual Convention in Philadelphia.
About 51ΑΤΖζ
The 51ΑΤΖζ Council of Teachers of English (51ΑΤΖζ) is the professional organization for literacy teachers spanning preK through college. Through the expertise and advocacy from its membersβ professional research, practice, and knowledge, 51ΑΤΖζ has served at the forefront of every major improvement in the teaching and learning of English and the language arts since 1911. For more information, please visit ncte.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Allie Ciaramella, 51ΑΤΖζ: media@ncte.org