Julian Robertson Award for Excellence in Teaching FAQs


The Award
 

What is the Julian Robertson Award for Excellence in Teaching?

Now in its third year, the Julian Robertson Award for Excellence in Teaching is an annual prize to celebrate outstanding NYC teachers who have shown remarkable dedication to their students and have had a significant impact on students' lives and learning. It is also intended to honor those who have demonstrated exemplary leadership within their school communities. Each year, up to ten teachers will receive a $20,000 unrestricted cash award celebrating their contributions to their students and the profession.

Teachers are vital to the success of New York City and to the future promise of its young people. Now, more than ever, our teachers need our support and recognition. This award is designed as one small way to elevate the incredible work teachers are doing every day for the children of our city.

Learn more about the Award by visiting our website: julianrobertsonaward.org

 


Eligibility
 

Am I/is this teacher eligible to participate?

Any current, full-time classroom teacher of any subject or age/grade level, working in a New York City public school (district, charter, or NYCPS-contracted early childhood center), is eligible to participate. Full-time classroom teachers are those who spend the majority of their time teaching students, as opposed to performing administrative or other functions.

If you were an Award finalist in a past year, you’re welcome to resubmit.

Previous winners, retired or former teachers, private school teachers, coaches, and school administrators are not eligible.  

Teachers do not need to be NYC residents.

How can I submit or nominate a teacher?

The first step of the process is a nomination. Any member of a school community – a current or former student, family member of a student, school leader, teacher, other school employee, volunteer, local nonprofit leader, etc. – may nominate a teacher for consideration by submitting a nomination online.

Teachers are welcome to nominate themselves. Each person is welcome to submit up to five nominations. Please submit only one nomination per teacher, as multiple nominations per teacher will not increase their likelihood of advancing.

Once a nomination is submitted, the Award team will send the nominated teacher an email link with instructions on how to submit materials.

 


The Process
 

What is the process?

Nominate an excellent teacher (September 16 – October 31): Beginning with the start of the 2026 - 2027 school year, we invite any member of an NYC school community – current or former students, family members of a student, school leaders, teachers, other school employees, volunteers, local nonprofit leaders, and others – to nominate an excellent teacher in their lives. Nominators may submit up to five nominations. Multiple nominations per teacher will not increase the teacher's likelihood of advancing. To submit a nomination, click here.

Teachers who wish to nominate themselves can complete a Round 1 submission directly by clicking this link to create an account.

Nominations may be submitted in any language. 

Teacher submissions (September 16 – October 31): Teachers will submit materials describing the practices they employ to build relationships with students, their impact on students, and examples of their leadership outside the classroom. A subset of candidates will then be invited to provide more information, including letters of recommendation and a brief video.     

Class visits (Spring 2027): A subset of advancing teachers will participate in interviews and/or classroom visits.

Celebration (September 2027): Following class visits, the Award team will notify finalists and winners, and will invite them to a celebration of excellent teaching.

How will you select winners?

A team of education experts, comprised of current and former teachers and school leaders, as well as network and nonprofit leaders, will review submissions. With input from NYCPS, they will identify the submissions that best align with the Award’s goals and values, including a focus on engaging students, enabling student progress, and leading within the broader school community. 

 


The Prize

 

What is the prize?

Winning teachers will each receive an unrestricted cash gift of $20,000, as well as the title of “Julian Robertson Award for Excellence in Teaching Winner”, to recognize their past contributions to their students and the teaching profession.

All winning and finalist teachers and their guests will also be invited to attend a celebration of excellent teaching.

What can the cash prize be used for? Do I have to submit a project?

The cash prize is an unrestricted cash gift for past achievement, and Award recipients can use it for any purpose, personal or professional. No projects or reporting are required.

What are the tax implications of winning the prize?

The IRS considers cash prizes as taxable income. For further details, please contact a tax professional.

 


Our Founders
 

Who is behind the prize?

The Julian Robertson Award for Excellence in Teaching was established by Coleman Family Ventures in partnership with Tiger Foundation.

An impact-focused organization founded by Chase and Stephanie Coleman, Coleman Family Ventures invests in leaders and innovators across education, poverty alleviation, healthcare, and ocean-based climate solutions. To learn more, visit cfv.org. 

Founded by Julian Robertson in 1989, the Tiger Foundation partners with community-based nonprofits that help individuals and families thrive and provides them with financial resources that allow them to build and maintain healthy and strong organizations. Through investments in its three core funding portfolios (Education; Family Support; and Youth, Workforce, and Justice) the foundation strives to meet the needs of New Yorkers experiencing poverty, with a particular focus on families, children, and young adults, and to enable the organizations that provide services to them to sustain and continually improve on their work. To learn more, visit tigerfoundation.org.

 

 

Other
 

How can I learn more?