STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — If you have a favorite teacher, you can nominate them for the Big Apple Awards, a citywide recognition program to honor full-time educators in New York City public schools.
The awards celebrate and honor teachers who demonstrate strong practices and enrich their school community with rigorous instruction. Last year, 46 winners represented a diversity of grade levels, subject areas and each of the five New York City boroughs.
Nominations are open until Jan. 21.
Everyone is encouraged to nominate a teacher by completing an online form.
Nominees must be current, full-time public school teachers in a district school, charter school, or early childhood education center in New York City who demonstrate exceptional success in the classroom.
When choosing someone to nominate, the city Department of Education (DOE) encourages people to think of who has gone above and beyond to serve their students and school community, as the Big Apple Awards recognize and celebrate teachers who make positive differences for all students they teach.
In addition to community nominations, the selection process includes recommendations, applicant essays, an interview and a classroom visit.
Big Apple Awards recognize and celebrate educators who:
- Inspire students to be their best selves, dream and advocate for their future
- Model equitable learning with high expectations for the diverse and dynamic needs of all students
- Affirm students’ identities, unique gifts, and genius
- Enrich their school communities by partnering with families, community members, and community-based organizations
Winners are notified of their award in a surprise visit from the chancellor or another school official in the spring.
This allows the city to honor and celebrate these exceptional teachers in their teaching environment, sometimes even with their students and colleagues.
As a Big Apple Awards Winner, those recognized engage in a unique professional development experience. During the school year, 15 recipients will have the opportunity to apply to participate in the Big Apple Fellowship, which includes engagement in leadership development sessions, professional learning communities, and conversations with the chancellor.
Zachary Lombardi, an elementary school arts teacher at PS 29 in Castleton Corners, was chosen as a New York City winner in the prestigious Big Apple Awards program for the 2024-2025 school year.
Lombardi was named the Community School District 31 Award Recipient. District 31 encompasses the entirety of Staten Island public schools.
Lombardi is one of three arts teachers at PS 29 and teaches visual arts to students of all grade levels. Students at the elementary school receive a multifaceted arts education — centered on STREAM (science, technology, robotics, engineering, arts and math) and sustainability.
Lombardi is the sustainability coordinator and is a citywide arts education leader, bringing together visual arts teachers from across Staten Island. He also leads citywide arts professional developments for the city DOE arts department in the Division of Teaching and Learning.
His visual and digital arts partner, Vicky Stuto, handles the technical aspects of the arts. The pair run a vigorous after-school program and help bolster the school’s afternoon English as a New Language program.
