PTSA Awards

The WSPTA offers multiple opportunities for local PTSAs or councils to recognize the efforts of volunteers in their community. These awards give recognition for service and involvement furthering the efforts and effectiveness of PTSA. WSPTA encourages a local PTSA or council to award any of the recognition options listed below to a PTSA member. Each February, our PTSA notifies our membership when award nominations are due, typically the end of March. Awards are presented at our general membership meeting each April or May

Do you have someone you would like to nominate? Please email moc.l1714087657iamg@1714087657tnedi1714087657serpa1714087657stpsh1714087657j1714087657.

Find a list of previous award recipients HERE.

Submit your 2023/2024 award nominations HERE.

Congratulations to all of ourJackson PTSA award recipients! They have all displayed amazing dedication to our PTSA, our students, and our school community. Thank you all for everything you have done, we appreciate you!

2022/2023 Award Recipients:

Jessica Montalvo-Lopez, Outstanding Educator
Erik Heinz, Outstanding Educator
Heather Morgan, Golden Acorn
Joanna Ghosh, Golden Acorn

Individual Awards Given at Local PTSA and Council Levels

Golden Acorn Award

A Golden Acorn award is presented by a PTA local unit or council to a school or community volunteer in recognition of his or her dedication and service to children and youth. Since the beginning of this program in the 1930s, more than 54,000 Golden Acorn awards have been presented to volunteers throughout Washington State. Recipients receive a certificate and pin, and a contribution is made in their name to the Washington State PTA Scholarship program.

Outstanding Advocate

The WSPTA Outstanding Advocate Award was established in 2004 to recognize an individual for his or her statewide advocacy and commitment in helping to create strong policies relating to the health, welfare, safety and education of children and youth. The individual should have furthered WSPTA’s policy positions (legislative principles, resolutions, and legislative issues) by activities such as, but not limited to, submitting policy positions, testifying on policy positions on behalf of WSPTA, or representing WSPTA on workgroups or coalitions.

Outstanding Student Advocate
In 2011, Washington State PTA created the Outstanding Student Advocate Award to recognize student PTSA members who have made significant contributions through leadership and service in their school and community. The Outstanding Student Advocate Award may be presented by local PTSAs, councils and regions. Recipients receive a certificate and pin, and a contribution is made in their name to the WSPTA Scholarship Program that benefits students.

Outstanding Educator Award

The new millennium began a new tradition for Washington State PTA. A unique award was created to recognize individuals who make significant contributions that enhance the education of children. The Outstanding Educator award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding educational contributions. An educator may be defined as a teacher, assistant, specialist, support staff, administrator or community member. Recipients receive a certificate and pin, and a contribution is made in their name to the Washington State PTA Scholarship program.

Honorary Life Membership

The WSPTA Honorary Life Membership Award recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to the development, growth, and sustainability of WSPTA at the state level. It is awarded to someone who has shown extraordinary commitment to WSPTA’s vision and mission.

This award may also be given by a local PTA or council to honor an individual who has made significant contributions to the development and growth of the local PTA or council.

WSPTSA Awards of Excellence

The purpose of the Local PTA Awards of Excellence program is to celebrate the work PTAs do to make a difference for their communities. Awards and programs also help build awareness of the WSPTA mission and focus. When local PTAs are recognized for the work they are doing, it builds pride in the community and helps people connect with PTA!

2022/2023 Award of Excellence:

Outstanding PTA of The Year

Standards of Excellence: PLATINUM

Outstanding Website: SILVER

Outstanding Newsletter: GOLD

Outstanding PTA of the Year

The Outstanding PTA of the Year Award identifies and honors those PTAs that, when compared to all others in their unique environment and within their own special circumstances, are the most representative examples of PTAs that exemplify the purposes and mission of PTA. There are three categories: Elementary and Secondary/Community PTA/Council.

Standards of Excellence Award

The Standards of Excellence Award is a tool that encourages the use of the best practices of PTA management. It guides our PTA to be child focused, responsible to your members, fiscally responsible, knowledgeable, involved, and well trained.

Outstanding Website Award

The Outstanding Website Award recognizes local PTA websites as effective forms of communication.

Outstanding Newsletter Award

The Outstanding Newsletter recognizes local PTA and council newsletters as they are an important and effective form of communication.

Outstanding Communications Strategy Award

The Outstanding Communications Strategy Award recognizes local PTA and council use of all forms of communication. Use of multiple forms of communication is important in reaching all of the membership and/or community served.

100% Staff Membership Award

The 100% Staff Membership Award is presented to local PTAs that enroll at least as many school staff members as there are full-time certificated employees at the school. This award recognizes the value of teachers and school staff as stakeholders advocating for all children through PTA membership.