Awards - SAES Southwestern Association Episcopal Schools

Connie Wootton Excellence in Teaching Award

Wootton Awards are $5,000 cash prizes given in four different categories:

Early Childhood—this award identifies an exceptional teacher working with pre-kindergarten students
Elementary—this award identifies an exceptional teacher working with students from kindergarten to fifth grade
Middle/Upper—this award identifies an exceptional teacher working with students from grades six through twelve
Special Focus—this award identifies an exceptional teacher of a special subject or Chaplain excelling in the spirit of the Wootton Awards

The recipients will:

Display passion for teaching and innovation
Demonstrate a deep appreciation for professional development
Possess an entrepreneurial spirit
Desire their school to reflect an ongoing commitment to excellence
Love the students and strive on a daily basis to help them achieve their personal best
Exhibit commitment to the Episcopal approach to education which can be understood as “faith seeking understanding”

Applications:

Teachers currently engaged in an SAES community may apply for a Wootton Award. Teachers may "self-nominate" or any SAES Head of School may nominate a teacher. Each school is limited to one nominee per category (for a maximum of four nominees per school.) All nominees will be honored at the 2021 SAES Biennial Conference in Houston on October 22, 2021. ALL NOMINEES WILL RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY BIENNIAL REGISTRATION. ATTENDANCE IS EXPECTED.

The application packet consists of:

Written application (name, school information, etc.)
Current CV of the teacher applicant
Application essay written by the teacher applicant or nominating administrator: This essay (of no more than 750 words) should address why the teacher is deserving of this award.
Two letters of support for the application
Endorsement by the Head of School
Optional: Endorsement by the Board of Trustees

Selection process:

Applications are due to SAES on March 31, 2021 and may be submitted via email to awards@swaes.org. All nominees will be honored at the 2021 SAES Biennial Conference in Houston, Texas. The winners will be announced at that time.

Ken Bastian Service Award

The Board of Directors of the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools established an award in 1999 in honor of the late Dr. Kenneth H. Bastian, Jr., former Headmaster of All Saints Episcopal School in Lubbock, Texas, and member of SAES for eight years. As Headmaster of All Saints, Ken was instrumental in establishing a community service and service learning program that brought national recognition to the school.

Honoring his spirit and interest in this rewarding area, this award is presented each year to a member school of the Association that has established an exemplary means of encouraging students to give of themselves in some form of community service or service learning. There may be as many as three award recipients, based upon the size of the school and scope of the community service programs.

It is the desire of the Association that this recognition be open to all schools regardless of grade levels, as long as the program(s) enables students, either as a whole student body or as groups, to provide meaningful service to the community. With endless varieties of creative community service programs available to the students of our schools, this award provides recognition to those outstanding schools, and inspires others to follow their leadership.

HOW TO APPLY:

Any SAES member school may apply for the award by completing an application form. All applications will be reviewed by a board-appointed committee, and the selected school(s) will be recognized and honored at the 2021 SAES Conference. All digital applications are due in the SAES office by October 1, 2021. Please contact Pat Blevins at (806) 655-2400 or via email at, pblevins@swaes.org, if you have any questions. Download the application for Ken Bastian Service Award now!

The Elizabeth "Budgie" Hollaman Award

The Board of Directors of the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools has established an award in honor of Elizabeth "Budgie" Hollamon, former Headmistress of Trinity Episcopal School, Galveston, TX, and long term member of the Executive Board of SAES. Her vision was instrumental in the formation and development of SAES as an effective means for the encouragement and strengthening of Episcopal education in the Episcopal dioceses of the Southwestern states, serving as President, Interim Executive Director, and founding member of the Standards Committee where her years of experience in the accreditation process was particularly valuable.

This award is to be presented at the direction and vote of the Executive Board to persons who have exhibited outstanding, consistent, and dedicated ministry and leadership to and in Episcopal schools and/or to SAES during their career in our schools.

Nominations shall be made to the Executive Board by a committee, consisting of three to five members, appointed by the President, who shall identify such persons for whom the award would be appropriate. The committee shall make no more than two nominations annually and as its discretion may choose to make none in a given year. The recipients shall be notified in advance and that award presentation made at the Biennial Conference.

The Dean Calcote Award

The Board of Directors of the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools has established an award in honor of the Reverend A. Dean Calcote, former Headmaster of All Saints Episcopal School, Beaumont, TX, and long term member of the Executive Board and Standards Committee of SAES. During his 24 year tenure at All Saints, enrollment increased and financial stability was established. Father Calcote also served as Chairman of the Diocesan Schools Commission for the Diocese of Texas.

This award is to be presented at the direction and vote of the Executive Board to persons who have exhibited outstanding, consistent, and dedicated ministry and leadership to and in Episcopal schools and/or to SAES during their career in our schools.

Nominations shall be made to the Executive Board by a committee, consisting of three to five members, appointed by the President, who shall identify such persons for whom the award would be appropriate. The committee shall make no more than two nominations annually and as its discretion may choose to make none in a given year. The recipients shall be notified in advance and that award presentation made at the Biennial Conference.

SAES Saints Award

The SAES Saint's Award is given in special recognition of outstanding service to SAES and its member schools over an extended period of time, or for a particularly significant contribution of time or treasure in support of SAES's mission to "lead, nurture and unify" Episcopal schools in the SAES region.