WORD honors educators, authors, and others involved in reading and literacy efforts awards and grants. An overview of each award—with lists of past recipients, guidelines, and application forms—can be found here.
 

			Outstanding Administrator Award

This award recognizes an administrator who has effectively motivated, inspired, and supported others in the promotion of literacy.  The award will be presented at the Annual Awards Banquet/Luncheon, at the time of the State Leadership Workshop.

			Advocacy Award

The Washington Organization for Reading Development recognizes a local council for advocating for literacy at the local, state or national level.

			Author/Illustrator/Storyteller Award

This award recognizes a Washington author, illustrator or storyteller for outstanding contributions to children's literature. The award will be presented at the Annual Awards Luncheon/Banquet during the State Leadership Workshop.

			Honor Council

IRA will award a Honor Council award to outstanding local councils.

			Literacy Award

The Literacy Award recognizes organizations, institutions, and individuals who have made significant literacy contributions at the state level. The recipient must be a past or present recipient of a local council's Celebrate Literacy Award. The award will be presented at the Annual Awards Banquet/Luncheon during the State Leadership Workshop.

			Media Award

This award recognizes a newspaper or radio/TV station which has recently demonstrated support or promotion of literacy. The award will be presented at the Annual Awards Luncheon/Banquet during the State Leadership Conference.

			Partnership Award

This award recognizes a group, business, or agency for joining with a local or state council and providing, to the community and to literacy, an outstanding service, project or event. The award will be presented at the Annual Awards Luncheon/Banquet during the State Leadership Workshop Conference.

			Sebesta Award

Recognizing a clearly outstanding classroom teacher or teacher educator of reading/language arts/literature honors Sam Sebesta. The recipient of the award must be a classroom teacher or university educator who works directly with students in a school or college/university setting. In addition, the applicant/nominee must have taught for five (5) full years in Washington and be nominated by at least four persons through letters of support. Applicants/ nominees must have been WORD members for a minimum of 5 years and have current WORD and IRA memberships.

			Florence Sperling Educational Assistance Fund

This fund is maintained through donations from out local councils and is designed to aid our members in special projects or activities. To be eligible, the member's council or the council itself must have donated to the fund by mid-January each year. The number and amount of awards depends on the amount of money available in the fund.