2026 DoDEA Teacher of the Year Timeline
| Nomination Period | |
|---|---|
| January 6 to February 14, 2025 | Nominations sought in local communities |
| District Level Process | |
|---|---|
| By January 27, 2025 | District POCs identify interview and selection panel |
| February 19-21, 2025 | District POCs provide the selected candidates the application form for completion and submission |
| February 24 to March 7, 2025 | Candidates complete the District TOY application |
| On or before March 7, 2025 | Candidates email their application to district POCs |
| March 10-14, 2025 | District POCs review applications for completion (word counts and page limits) |
| March 17, 2025 | District POCs email listing of applicants (with email address and principal’s contact information) with demographic data to HQ POC |
| March 17-28, 2025 | Selection panel reviews and scores applications and Interview panel interviews final candidates |
| On or before April 2, 2025 | District POCs notify HQ POC of selected District TOY PRIOR to notifying the candidate or making an announcement in the local community (to allow HQ Communications Department to assist with coordinating communications) |
| By April 11, 2025 | District TOY is announced in each district by local leadership |
| April 14-25, 2025 | District TOY completes DoDEA TOY application and prepares video |
| April 28 to May 2, 2025 | District POC collaborates with District TOY to edit/revise/ improve the DoDEA TOY application and video to ensure they meet all expectations |
| NLT May 9, 2025 | DoDEA STOY application package (including video and official photo) uploaded to TEAMS by district POC |
| Headquarters Level Process | |
|---|---|
| By May 9, 2025 | HQ POC identifies the Selection Panel and Interview Panel members |
|
May 12-23, 2025 Â |
ROUND One selection panel review period. Panel members will review applications and videos independently using scoring rubrics. Scores are emailed to HQ POC |
| May 26-30, 2025 | HQ POC reviews scores to identify top 2 candidates from each group (from Round One reviews) and set up candidate folders for the second round of scoring |
| June 2-6, 2025 | ROUND Two selection panel review period. Panel members will review applications and videos independently using scoring rubrics. Scores are emailed to HQ POC |
| On or before June 6, 2025 | HQ selection panel scoring rubrics and comments are emailed to HQ POC |
| June 9-13, 2025 | Top three candidates will be scheduled for a virtual interview. |
| By August 11, 2025 | HQ POC will send interview invitations to top three candidates |
| August 18-22, 2025 | Virtual interviews with top three candidates by the HQ interview panel. |
| August 25-27, 2025 | Provide written recommendation for 2026 DoDEA STOY to Chief Academic Officer for the Director’s approval. Debrief the STOY selection with the Director as requested. Compile bio of selected DoDEA TOY and share with HQ Communications Department for coordination of communication to the field. |
| On or before Sept 5, 2025 | District superintendent, principal, and district POC are notified of the 2026 DoDEA TOY selection. |
| On or before Sept 15, 2025 | Announcement of 2026 DoDEA TOY (at the Mark Center during the Teacher Leadership Summit) made via DoDEA website and other methods as determined by HQ. |
| SY 2025 and 2026 | Recognition and professional development opportunities. 2026 STOY year period is January 2026 to December 2026 |
| September 2025 to October 2025 | Technical work sessions with DoDEA STOY to revise national application and platform. PDMS days can be provided. |
| National TOY Application Process | |
|---|---|
| On or before October 31, 2025 | The DoDEA state coordinator submits the 2026 DoDEA STOY’s complete official application package to the National TOY Program site |
| November 2025 | The National Selection Committee begins review of all state applications prior to the initial meeting of the Selection Committee. |
| December 2025 | Finalists, Chief State School Officers, and state teams of the four states selected will be notified by the Council of Chief State School Officers. |
| STOY Year of Service:Â Â NTOY Program Events and Sabbatical | |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | DoDEA STOY’s year of service begins |
| January to June 2026 | STOY Sabbatical Semester |
| February 2026 | NTOY Program Orientation in Santa Clara, CA |
| March 2026 | Washington Week in Washington, DC |
| May 2026 | DoDEA Teacher Leadership Expo (TLE) |
| July 2026 | Space Camp in Huntsville, AL |
| September 2026 | DoDEA Teacher Leadership Summit (TLS) |
| October 2026 | Impact & Influence Conference |
| January 2027 | College Football Championship |
