Please check the: LIST OF SCHOOLS/DEPARTMENTS ELIGIBLE TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES.
Only one nominee may be submitted per eligible school/department.

Nominees must be benefited employees. Support personnel who serve at the school or district level that are eligible for nomination include the following:

Educational support personnel who serve at the school or district level, such as teacher aides, library aides and other paraprofessionals, bookkeepers, secretaries and clerks, bus drivers, food service staff, school food service managers, custodians, building maintenance workers, warehouse workers, mechanics, TSR's, nurses and office managers may be nominated. Nominees may be full or part-time employees.

Personnel who are eligible for Teacher of the Year, administrative personnel are as defined in section 1012.01(3), F.S., or contract employees are not eligible. School resource officers, instructional and administrative personnel are ineligible.

Each nominee will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:
 

• Extends himself/herself beyond basic required duties by displaying initiative and creativity.
   
• Contributes to the students, school and district he/she serves in the following manner:
  enhances student learning and highest achievement through literacy-based activities;
  creates positive relationships with parents, students, co-workers and community members; and
  makes schools safer, healthier and more attractive.
   
• Earns respect and admiration of colleagues and the community.
   
• Demonstrates exceptional skill and dedication on the job.
   
• Displays exemplary leadership abilities through active participation in school or district and community activities and/or by making decisions and delegating effectively and diplomatically.
   
• Exhibits good interpersonal skills.
   
• Utilizes inservice and/or training to consistently improve and develop skills.
   
• Demonstrates exemplary interpersonal skills in communicating with students, families and community members, as well as collaboration with other professionals.

• Previous category district winners will be ineligible to be a Stellar finalist in the same category for seven years after their win. District winners are not excluded from being nominated or recognized locally at their work location.
   
• Based on the progressive discipline hierarchy below, Stellar nominees that have a discipline starting at or higher than a 2-YR Reprimand, for the current year, will not be eligible to be a finalist. Eligibility is reinstated once the discipline expires. Directives will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
  - Directive
  - Reprimand 2 year (no additional cases for two years)
  - Reprimand 5 year (no additional cases for 5 years)
  - Suspension 1 day
  - Suspension 2 days
  - Suspension 3 days
  - Suspension 4 days
  - Suspension 5 days
  - Termination