2026–2027 Smart/Maher VFW National
Citizenship Education Teacher Award

What Is the Teacher Award Program?

Founded in 1899, the VFW has long supported the education of America's youth. The VFW and its Auxiliary have developed a slate of citizenship education programs that stimulate interest in America's history, traditions, civic responsibility, flag etiquette, and patriotism.

Teachers care deeply about America and its children, and about passing on the nation's noblest traditions and highest ideals. The Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award gives those educators the recognition they deserve.

Why Should I Enter?

The VFW wants to identify and recognize America's best educators — those who instill a sense of national pride in their students. National awardees receive:

• A $1,000 Smart/Maher Award for each of the top K–5, 6–8, and 9–12 teachers, for professional development expenses.
• A $1,000 award for each winning teacher's school.
• A commemorative plaque.
• An all-expenses-paid trip to the VFW National Convention.

Winning teachers at the Post, District, and Department (state) levels also receive recognition from the VFW and their local communities.

Who Is Eligible?

• All current certified/licensed teachers in grades K–12 are eligible.
• Previous national VFW winners are ineligible.
• Nominations can be submitted by the teacher, fellow teachers, supervisors, family members, or other interested individuals.

Teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette, and patriotism are prime candidates — for example, an educator who plans field trips to city hall, organizes community volunteer projects, invites veterans into the classroom to share their military experience, or fosters democratic values through special projects.

What Are the Judging Criteria?

Entries are evaluated on a 100-point scale across four areas, each scored 1–25 points:

• Citizenship: To what extent does the teacher encourage and model good citizenship and community involvement?
• Innovation: How much does the teacher draw on new ideas, tools, resources, and approaches, with an ongoing effort to engage students in new ways?
• Resources: Has the teacher shown an ability to identify and bring in outside support — speakers, in-kind or monetary donations, museums, field trips, or local opportunities — to fund and enrich the classroom?
• Passion: Does the teacher show genuine passion for the profession, a drive to keep upgrading their skills, and a personal interest in each student's success?

How Are Teachers Nominated?

1. Complete the official entry form (download below) and have it signed.
2. Provide a one-page résumé at minimum, or up to five pages of supporting documentation (résumé, references, news articles, etc.).
3. Include a head-and-shoulder photo of the teacher, if available.
4. Submit the completed packet to your local VFW Post by midnight, October 31, 2026. It is the nominator's responsibility to confirm the Post is participating and to meet this deadline.

📍 To find your local Post: vfw.org/FindaPost, or call the VFW Programs Department at 816.756.3390 ext. 6287. Entries sent directly to VFW National will be returned — all entries begin at the local Post level.

Timeline

• October 31, 2026 – Deadline for entries at the Post level.
• November 15, 2026 – Deadline for Posts to forward one winner per grade level to District.
• January 1, 2027 – Deadline for Districts (or Posts, where there is no District judging) to forward winners to Department.
• February 1, 2027 – Department winners submitted to VFW National Headquarters, via the Dashboard, for National judging.

Department Teacher winners received at National Headquarters by Feb. 1 will receive a VFW National citation for both the winning teacher and their school.

Resources & Forms

Questions?

For questions about the national program, contact Mary Spencer at VFW National Headquarters: 816.756.3390 ext. 6287 or mspencer@vfw.org.