"Teachers Turn The Key" Scholarship      
Agricultural education is continually faced with a shortage of qualified teachers. Unless those who have been trained enter and remain in the profession for a period of several years, the shortage of qualified teachers will prevail. As a means of encouraging young teachers to remain in the profession and to encourage and recognize participation in professional activities, NAAE offers the Teachers Turn the Key Scholarship.

NAAE members who are in their second, third or fourth year of teaching at the time they apply are eligible for this award. (When the awards are presented at the subsequent NAAE convention, the scholarship recipients will be in their third, fourth or fifth year of teaching.) All state winners must agree to attend the entire NAAE convention.

Ideas Unlimited Award      
The Ideas Unlimited award is designed to give members an opportunity to exchange classroom, SAE, leadership, and other teaching ideas. The idea may be original or borrowed. Each application should specify how the idea was used by the applicant and how the idea could help others in their teaching. All active NAAE members, except current members of the NAAE board of directors, who are teaching agricultural education are eligible to enter this competition. In addition, each applicant must have been a NAAE member the three previous years or continuously since he/she began teaching. There are no restrictions limiting the number of times an individual can win the regional contest.

Lifetime Achievement Award      
NAAE will recognize retired NAAE members who have made significant contributions to agricultural education at the state, regional, and national levels with Lifetime Achievement Award. One recipient from each of the six NAAE regions will be recognized with a plaque at the upcoming NAAE Convention. State winning applications should be brought to the respective NAAE Regional Leadership Conference for judging.

Outstanding Agriculture Education Teacher Award      
This program distinguishes NAAE members who are conducting the highest quality agricultural education programs. The award recognizes leadership in civic, community, agriculture/agribusiness and professional activities. Outstanding agricultural educators are innovators and catalysts for student success in agricultural education. Individuals may receive the regional award only once; previous regional winners are not eligible to apply.

Outstanding Cooperation Award      
NAAE will recognize organizations, agribusiness companies, and others who have given outstanding support to agricultural education with the Outstanding Cooperation Award. One recipient from each of the six NAAE regions will be recognized with a plaque at the upcoming NAAE Convention. State winning applications should be brought to the respective NAAE Regional Leadership Conference for judging.

Outstanding Middle/Secondary Program Award      
A goal of NAAE is to promote outstanding programs in agricultural education and effectively communicate success stories. The Outstanding Middle/Secondary School Ag Ed Program Award promulgates that goal. Agricultural education programs in middle schools and secondary schools are eligible to participate in this recognition program. Previous regional winners may reapply for this award every five years if they choose.

Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program Award      
NAAE places high value on continuing education in agriculture. The Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program Award recognizes exemplary postsecondary institutions and full-time young farmer and adult ag ed programs. Qualifying young farmer and/or adult ag ed program staff must devote at least 50 percent of their teaching time to this level of instruction. Previous regional winners may reapply for this award every five years if they choose.

Outstanding Service Citation      
NAAE will recognize current and retired NAAE members who have made significant contributions to agricultural education at the state, regional, and national levels with the Outstanding Service Citation. One recipient from each of the six NAAE regions will be recognized with a plaque at the upcoming NAAE Convention. State winning applications should be brought to the respective NAAE Regional Leadership Conference for judging.

Teacher Mentor Award      
If you ask agriculture teachers what motivated them to enter and stay in the teaching profession, predominately they will attribute their decision to another agriculture teacher who encouraged them. Many state agricultural education associations have recognized the importance of positive relationships between beginning and experienced teachers by creating formal organizational structures to connect beginning and experienced teachers. This award program will provide additional incentives for experienced teachers to become mentors for beginning teachers, and it will provide beginning teachers a way to say thank you to the experienced teachers who have influenced them.