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German Embassy Teacher of Excellence Award

Many German teachers at schools and universities show impressive commitment as intermediaries of the German language in the United States, despite very challenging working conditions. They use up-to-date and modern teaching methods and materials to motivate their students to learn German on a sustained basis. In addition, they conduct various campaigns to draw attention to their German programs at their schools and in their communities and encourage active engagement with Germany. 

This commitment to teaching the German language deserves special recognition. For this reason, the German Embassy in Washington, in cooperation with the American Association of Teachers of German, each year honors three especially outstanding, early-career American teachers with the German Embassy Teacher of Excellence Award. The award is intended to raise local awareness of German teachers who are still early on in their careers and bolster them in their teaching profession. Award winners are recognized at the AATG Awards Presentation and at the annual conference. 

The prize includes travel expenses to attend the AATG conference.  

Who should apply? 

  • Early-career educators roughly in the first half of their German teaching career. 

  • Educators who are making a significant impact at their institution or in their community. 

Selected recipients will receive funding for the 2026 AATG Conference, from July 11-14, 2026. This award provides:

If you have already registered for the 2026 conference, you may still apply for this award!

**Note: This funding cannot be combined with any other grant or funding from AATG or the German Government for the 2026 Conference.

Application Process

Candidates will need to provide the following:  

  • Contact information 

  • Resume or CV 

  • Two Recommendations. Candidates will need to forward this recommendation link to TWO people who will recommend them. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that the recommendations are submitted by the deadline. Recommendations can come from colleagues, administrators, students, parents, etc and contains four questions with word limits between 100-250 words each. 

  • Answers to three questions regarding the teacher's impact, initiative and interaction with German and their community. Responses are limited to 500 words each. 
    • Impact: Discuss your impact in and outside of the classroom. How do you engage in your students academic lives, the community, etc?
    • Initiative: How have you introduced a new or creative approach to community/student engagement, access, or sustained interest in your German program?  
    • Interaction: How would you benefit from attending the conference to network with other educators and how would you bring this knowledge back to your institution? 

We look forward to receiving a diverse mix of nominations and would particularly welcome nominations of teachers who have not yet been recognized with the award. 

Applications must be submitted by May 15, 2026 at 12:00pm EST for the 2026 conference.
Please contact Michaela Wetcholowsky at michaela@aatg.org with any questions about this award. 

We especially encourage the following organizations and entities to identify qualified candidates and encourage them to apply. 

  • AATG regional chapters 

  • US branches of the Goethe-Institut 

  • Language consultants of the German Central Agency for Schools Abroad 

  • DAAD 

  • German consulates general 

  • German honorary consuls 

  • Schools and universities with German programs 

  • School administrations