John Fornter Award

John Fortner Award Policy

  • Publish criteria and requests for nominations in the May and July Newsletters.
  • Deadline for nominations should be mid-August.
  • All nominations and information is sent to President.
  • The President appoints a committee to review and rank all nominations which shall consist of three past presidents, one of which is to be John Fortner and he shall serve as the chair of the committee as long as he chooses.
  • The President forwards all nomination information to the committee.
  • The committee shall review the nominations and forward the committee recommendation to the Board of Directors for final selection.

The John Fortner Outstanding Educator Award Criteria

The John Fortner Outstanding Educator Award was created in honor of our first President, founder and supporter of the Texas Outdoor Education Association since the beginning in 1974. This award is to honor an educator who has worked tirelessly to promote the mission of TOEA, which is to develop in the children of Texas a love and appreciation for the outdoors and the environment. Any current member of the TOEA may either self-­nominate or nominate someone else for this award as long as they meet the following criteria:

1. Be a current member of TOEA.

2. Have been a member of TOEA for at least 5 years.

3. Is not currently a member of the Board of Directors.

4. May be either an active or retired educator.

5. Serve as a positive role model epitomizing the values and desired outcomes of outdoor/environmental education. .

6. Demonstrate enthusiasm for the profession and her/his role in it.

7. Show interest in, and sensitivity to the needs of students, clients, and fellow professionals.

8. Utilizes various methodologies and implements creative, innovative and safe effective courses, programs, classes in outdoor education.

9. Assumes responsibility for her/his professional growth and evidence of professional commitment through membership and involvement in local, state, and national professional organizations.