The Andy Lerner Excellence in Chess Education Award is given annually to one educator representing a public school, charter school, or a non-commercial children’s chess club. The selection process is open and nationwide. Five finalists are selected by a Jury that comprises educators, Chess in the Schools alums, and public figures well-known in the chess world. Four runners-up are also recognized. The $10,000 award includes a monetary award of $5,000 to the first-place educator and another $5,000 to their school or chess club. The four other finalists will each receive a $2,000 award.

Timeline

• September 17, 2022 – The award is publicly announced at the Chess-in-the-Park tournament in New York City and further publicized through chess-related media and major websites including Chess.com, ChessKid.com, and USCF website.
• January 31, 2023 – Submission deadline
• April 2023 – Finalists announced (Date TBD)
• May 2023 – Award ceremony (Date and Location TBD)

Nominees are expected to:

• be nominated by a third party (self-nominations are not accepted) 
• be actively engaged in chess education 
• have at least 5 years of experience teaching chess or volunteering and promoting chess education at a non-profit organization or a public school 
• reside in the U.S. (no international nominations)
• present at least two references

The following criteria will be taken into consideration by the Jury:

• the impact on the chess community and students served. The impact that the nominee makes should align with CIS mission and values of fostering the intellectual and social development of low-income youth through chess education.
• number of students served
• awards/recognition received by the chess team / individual students taught
• innovative methods of teaching 
• diversity of students served, including but not limited to grade levels, skills and experience levels (e.g. beginners vs competitive players), and demographics
• number of tournaments / events organized

The following candidates are disqualified from applying:

• current CIS employees, members of CIS’s Board of Directors and the Advisory Board
• instructors employed by CIS in the last 3 years 
• former award recipients (in future years)
• instructors working exclusively for for-profit organizations or only giving private lessons

List of Jury Members will be announced in November 2022.

The link to submit nominations will be posted on this website in late September.