Awards & Recognitions

Digital Branding Development Award

The Digital Branding Development Award is given to the school district whose personnel or human resources department has most effectively managed to leverage the power of at least one digital venue to tell their district's employment story and provide communication to and gather information from current and prospective employees. Nominations must include the addresses to one (or more) of the following: a website, X (Twitter) handle, Instagram handle, Facebook page, LinkedIn account, etc.

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Distinguished Service Awards

Distinguished Service Awards are presented to individuals who have made substantial contributions to IASPA, advancing or enhancing the professional visibility of the association and its purpose and/or the field of human resources. These awards may be given to active members or non‐members.

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HR Specialist/Support Staff Award

The Human Resources Specialist/Support Staff Award is given to an individual whose contributions have had a significant impact on the efficiency of the human resources office and to the field of human resources; who has at the local, state/province, national, and/or international level distinguished themselves through leadership service; and is a collaborative, contributing participant in human resources functions and/or programs. Active IASPA membership is not required.

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Mentor Awards

Mentor Awards are presented to active members of IASPA who have shown exceptional leadership by enthusiastically serving as mentors to fellow IASPA colleagues, advancing or enhancing the field by supporting those new to human resources administration.

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New Member Award

The New Member Award is given to an active member of IASPA who has less than 3 years of experience in the field. This individual has demonstrated involvement at the local, state/province, national, and/or international level though new to the field and has distinguished themself in human resources administration through contributions that have had an impact on public education. Must be an active IASPA member and currently serving in a human resources position.

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Personnel Administrator of the Year Award

The Personnel Administrator of the Year Award is given to an active member of IASPA who has distinguished themself in human resources administration at the local, state/province, national and/or international level; is involved and a contributing participant in local, state/province, national and/or international human resources functions and/or programs; whose contributions have had significant impact on public education at the local, state/province, national and/or international level; is a skilled manager of change and is creative in their approach to human resources administration;  approaches human resources administrative work with a sense of humor and a sense of respect for his/her fellow colleague and is currently serving in a human resources administrative position.

Nominations for Personnel Administrator of the Year require three (3) letters of recommendation.  Please email the letters of recommendation to Dr. Kimberly Chambers, IASPA Executive Director, at kchambers@iaspa.org no later than Friday, December 6, 2024.

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Shelli Anderson Legacy Award for Excellence in School Law

The Shelli Anderson Legacy Award for Excellence in School Law is presented annually to an education law attorney for their exceptional dedication and service to their school district clients. This individual serves as an example, through their record of exceptional leadership and dedication, of excellence in the practice of law; shows exceptional dedication to their profession and clients through excellent communication, timely responses and support, and the highest level of service; has contributed significantly to their clients' organization; is forward thinking with training and support for human resource leaders that is above and beyond the norm.

Nominations are open to all educational law attorneys whose firms are IASPA Law Firm Partners, as nominated by an IASPA member. The winner, an educational law attorney, will be recognized at the annual conference in memory of Shelli Anderson, FRANCZEK attorney, long-time supporter of IASPA, renown educational law presenter, and the ultimate professional in the field of educational law.