CASL Awards, Grant and Scholarship
2024 Nominations are closed. We had many outstanding nominees.
Please join us at the Spring Fling on May 9 to celebrate our award winners, celebrate our successes, and meet colleagues from around Connecticut! Only $20!
CASL offers these annual awards to recognize outstanding service and outstanding programs by
certified school library specialists employed in Connecticut who are also members of CASL.
A member may nominate themselves or another member of CASL.
To honor a member who has made an auspicious beginning in media services at the building level and has been involved in library media service for no more than five years.
To honor a member for extensive service (at least 10 years) and outstanding contributions in the library media field.
To honor a member who has made ANY TWO of the following contributions to the profession during the last three calendar years immediately prior to nomination/application:
- Developed or successfully implemented a professional development activity for CEU credit relative to library and instructional media topics through the auspices of CASL;
- Made a significant, verifiable contribution to a national-level committee for ALA or ISTE devoted to the interests of library media teachers and programs;
- Published an article relevant to school library media programs in a nationally circulated professional journal (nominee/applicant may be sole author or co- author);
- Published a book on a topic relevant to school library media programs or personnel that has been positively reviewed in at least one professional journal (nominee/applicant may be sole author or co-author);
- Developed a syllabus for, and taught as an adjunct faculty member, a graduate course to prospective library media teachers which develops requisite competencies for the profession;
- Implemented a new technology to streamline those administrative tasks or data management operations requisite to CASL's effective and efficient operation.
Irene Kwidzinski Service Award
CASL Creativity AwardTo honor a person who has made an outstanding contribution to CASL and/or school library programs.
To honor an outstanding creative and collaborative instructional lesson that integrates subject content with school library learning standards and technology. The winner will receive the Creativity Award in the amount of $500 to further implement this instructional lesson. The recipient of this award will be expected to present a visual display that documents the project at the Annual CASL Conference or Annual Meeting.
Bunny Yesner School Library Media Program of the Year Award
The Bernice "Bunny" Yesner School Library Media Program of the Year Award honors exemplary school library programs that demonstrate implementation of AASL’s National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries. The award winner received $1,000.
CASL offers these annual awards to recognize outstanding administrators who provide support and funding for school library programs, to honor a classroom teacher(s) who form an instructional partnership with a member, and a student enrolled in graduate programs leading to certification as a school library specialist.
A member of CASL may nominate an administrator, a classroom teacher, or a student for these awards.
CASL Collaboration GrantTo honor an administrator who provides necessary support for improving school library services through encouragement and adequate funding for program maintenance and improvement. Traditionally, one award has been given to a building level administrator and another to a district level administrator.
The Collaboration Grant recognizes the relationship between the library media specialist (LMS) and one or more teachers and is measured by the extent of co-planning, co-teaching, and co-assessing by the LMS and one or more classroom teachers. The award winner receives $500.
Pellerin Classroom Teacher Award
To honor a classroom teacher who participates in the necessary steps to establish an instructional partnership with the library media specialist.
Carolyn Biega O'Neill Memorial Scholarship
CASL awards the Carolyn Biega O'Neill Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 to a Connecticut resident enrolled in a Connecticut accredited graduate program or the Alternate Route to Certification (ARC) leading to certification as a School Library Media Specialist.
Leading the Way: Exemplary Cooperating Teacher Award (New in 2024!)
Honoring a Connecticut school librarian who in mentoring and working with a student teacher for a semester, models best practices in planning lessons, instructing students, and creating a safe and comfortable environment in the school library. Furthermore, the award honors the school librarian in encouraging the student teacher through their weeks of planning and instructing by conveying a genuine passion for students and the importance of school libraries.
CASL Diverse Book Grant (The 2024 grant cycle has NOT opened yet).
Educator AwardCASL members who have had a ZERO book budget or received NO district provided books for the past three years can apply for a $500 grant to purchase diverse books for your collection. Grant recipients will be paired with a CASL board member to aid them in selecting new titles to diversify their collection. Processing materials can be provided if needed.
The CT Association of School Librarians Technology Users Group annually grants up to three awards of $1,000 each to recognize excellence in the integration of technology into classroom learning. Projects that integrate many subjects and incorporate technology represent the future of education. CASL recognizes that technology is only a tool that enhances learning or the presentation of learning. Creative projects that show the power of technology through engaged learning are encouraged. $1,000 is given to the individual teachers for completed or on-going projects to be used as they wish. In the event of a team application, the monetary award will be divided equally among the individuals.
Eligibility
Any public or private school educator in Connecticut who are CASL Members may apply for a CASL Educator Award. Click here for Membership info. Teams or individuals may submit proposals for recognition of competed or on-going work that has made use of computer technology (in conjunction with other technologies) to positively impact the learning of students and must clearly address at least one of the ISTE Standards for Students. The learning can be in any domain (affective, cognitive, or motor), in any curriculum area, at any level in grades K-12. It may be aimed at the professional development of teachers if a clear link to improved learning of students can be shown.
* Members of the CASL Board of Directors or their immediate family members will not be eligible for the award.
* Winners in any one year will not be eligible for an award the following year.
* Please note that this award is for work completed or in progress.
* It is not a grant for future work.
The ISTE - Making IT Happen Award
The ISTE Making IT Happen Award honors outstanding educators and leaders who demonstrate extraordinary commitment, leadership, courage and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities for students.
Please take the time to self-nominate or nominate an individual that fits the following description. The individual must be a CASL member who:
Improves teaching and learning to create far-reaching, impactful change in the field of educational technology
Applies current technology in new and innovative ways
Has a direct impact on student achievement and success
Fosters and promotes technology integration within the school and/or district
Is a forward thinker who understands the process of change
Inspires, encourages and nurtures students and colleagues
One individual will be chosen and recognized at the CASL Annual Dinner.
CASL Technology Users Group will provide a paid registration for the ISTE June Conference.
ISTE will provide a Making IT Happen jacket, pin, certificate, a one-year Basic ISTE membership and promotional materials.
* Members of the CASL Board of Directors or their immediate family members will not be eligible for the award.
* Winners in any one year will not be eligible for an award the following year.
* Please note that this award is for work completed or in progress.
* It is not a grant for future work.
Past Award Winners:
2023 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners
2019 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners
2018 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners
2017 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners
2016 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners
2015 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners
2014 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners
2013 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners
2012 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners
2011 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners
2010 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners
2009 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners
2008 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners
2007 Award, Scholarship and Grant Winners