Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Awards
Applications are now closed. Applications will reopen in Fall 2023.
The Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Awards celebrate all-star teachers who are working diligently to help students in underserved and underrepresented communities discover all the possibilities computer science and robotics bring for the future.
Award recipients will be formally recognized by Amazon and will receive $25,000 to expand computer science and/or robotics education at their school, plus an additional $5,000 cash award.
If you teach at a Title 1 eligible school and you want to join Amazon Future Engineer to bring computer science to your students, you may be eligible next year.
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Eligibility requirements
Be a dedicated teacher with at least one year teaching with Amazon Future Engineer as a BootUp, ProjectSTEM, CMU CS Academies, CodeVA or Code.org teacher and/or as an AFE First Robotics Coach
Be a registered Amazon Future Engineer computer science teacher or part of the Amazon Future Engineer Robotics program in the US. Eligible AFE programs include: BootUp teachers (elementary), Code.org, CMU CS Academies, ProjectSTEM Teachers (middle and high), CodeVA CS Ready Impact team members and AFE FIRST robotics coaches.
Be employed by an accredited public, private or charter school located in the United States.
Be committed to continue teaching at their school again for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Meet a few of our amazing winners from the 2020-2021 school year
Harold Brown
Newark Collegiate Academy, Newark, NJ
“I teach computer science to help students prepare for careers that do not currently exist today, careers that they will help create. That also means helping them to know about and having access to existing careers in the computer science field so that my students can close the wealth gap starting now. This is what inspires me as I continue teaching computer science. Knowing every day that I get to watch students grow and find their ability to create for both today and the future too.”
Melissa Collins
John P Freeman Optional School K-8 grade, Memphis, TN
“As an equity champion for our marginalized students, it has been my goal to inspire the next generation of minority STEM professionals. Therefore, I collaborate with key stakeholders to bring my school community hope, purpose, and passion. STEM is for all! Coding teaches vital mathematical and programming skills, which prepare our students to be world-logical problem solvers. Thank you Amazon for supporting teachers and students in coding and robotics! You (Amazon) continue to help make a difference in the lives of children all around the world.”
Terry Laesser
Melvindale High School, Melvindale, MI
“Many of my students are the first in their families to go to college and most speak English as their second language too. I teach computer science and robotics to show and open doorways to a future that they can choose. A future where I hope they can build a better world for everyone. “Science is organized knowledge” ~ Immanuel Kant”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the criteria for applying to the Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year awards?
To be eligible for the Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Awards, teachers must be a registered Amazon Future Engineer computer science teacher or part of the Amazon Future Engineer Robotics program in the US. Eligible AFE programs include: BootUp teachers (elementary), Code.org and ProjectSTEM Teachers (middle and high) and AFE First robotics coaches.
Award recipients must be committed to returning to their school to teach computer science and/or robotics for the 2023-2024 school year and will be chosen based on a variety of criteria including:
- Dedication to educational equity in underserved communities
- Commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within computer science education
- Instructional excellence and record of student achievement
- Recommendation from a school administrator
We encourage teachers to start applications early to make time for a principal or colleague to submit your online recommendation.
Award recipients must be committed to returning to their school to teach computer science and/or robotics for the 2023-2024 school year and will be chosen based on a variety of criteria including:
- Dedication to educational equity in underserved communities
- Commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within computer science education
- Instructional excellence and record of student achievement
- Recommendation from a school administrator
We encourage teachers to start applications early to make time for a principal or colleague to submit your online recommendation.
What's my prize if I am chosen as an award recipient?
Award recipients will each receive $25,000 to support their school’s computer science and/or robotics program/s. All awards checks are mailed to the teacher recipient’s permanent home mailing address made payable to the school. The awarding teacher will be responsible for delivering the check to the appropriate individual/department at their school for processing.
Starting in 2021, award winners will each receive a $5,000 cash award in addition to their school award. This additional cash award will be made payable to the teacher award winner.
Note: The award video above mentions that the prize was doubled to $50,000. This was a special add-on for the inaugural year of the award. This year the prize is $25,000 for the school and $5,000 for the teacher.
Starting in 2021, award winners will each receive a $5,000 cash award in addition to their school award. This additional cash award will be made payable to the teacher award winner.
Note: The award video above mentions that the prize was doubled to $50,000. This was a special add-on for the inaugural year of the award. This year the prize is $25,000 for the school and $5,000 for the teacher.
What's the deadline?
The application is open from December 12th, 2022 – February 14th, 2023 at 3:00 PM CT. School principals, administrators, peers, and students can also nominate Amazon Future Engineer teachers, encouraging them to apply. Amazon will notify award recipients later in the 2023 year.
How many award recipients will there be?
Ten award recipients will be chosen from across the country from a range of grade-levels and geographic regions.
I'm not an Amazon Future Engineer Teacher - can I apply?
This year, our Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Awards are open to only Amazon Future Engineer teachers. Learn more about us on amazonfutureengineer.com.
AFE Teachers are dedicated computer science and/or robotics teachers currently working in a Title 1 US School. Eligible teachers must be registered with AFE and use one of our sponsored curriculums (Code.org, ProjectSTEM, Bootup, or FIRST Robotics). If this describes you, but you aren’t yet registered with AFE, sign up today!
Since we are always launching new programs for underserved schools, be sure to sign up to Stay Informed on new opportunities to join Amazon Future Engineer.
AFE Teachers are dedicated computer science and/or robotics teachers currently working in a Title 1 US School. Eligible teachers must be registered with AFE and use one of our sponsored curriculums (Code.org, ProjectSTEM, Bootup, or FIRST Robotics). If this describes you, but you aren’t yet registered with AFE, sign up today!
Since we are always launching new programs for underserved schools, be sure to sign up to Stay Informed on new opportunities to join Amazon Future Engineer.
I still have more questions - who should I contact?
Please e-mail: AmazonTeacherAward@ScholarshipAmerica.org and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
More ways to explore with Amazon Future Engineer
Amazon Future Engineer students can boost their future for themselves and their community with the support of college funding, paid internships, and industry mentors.
Bring an Amazon professional to your classroom for a “Class Chat.” They will share their unique journey and experiences working in tech with your students.
We provide thousands of classrooms with quality computer-science teacher training and curriculum to make sure educators have the tools they need to feel confident in the classroom.
Sign up to our mailing list to hear about exciting initiatives being ran with our current programs and future program launches!