Excellence Awards Frequently Asked Questions

The TDSB Excellence Awards are the highest honour the TDSB bestows on staff. They recognize individuals and teams whose work demonstrates exceptional commitment, impact, and professionalism in supporting student achievement, belonging, and well-being across the system. 

Recognizing excellence not only celebrates staff accomplishments, it also helps strengthen a culture of appreciation and shared learning across the TDSB.

In response to feedback, the Excellence Awards have been refreshed to make the program clearer and more accessible. 

Updates include: 

• Refreshed, role-based award categories that make it easier to identify the right fit for nominees 
• A streamlined nomination process that is faster and more intuitive to complete 

These changes are intended to encourage more nominations from across both the academic and business sides of the organization. 

TDSB staff members, both individuals and teams, are eligible to be nominated if they go above and beyond to support students, colleagues, families, or the broader community. 

Depending on the category, nominees may include: 

• Individual staff members 
• Formal teams, departments, committees, or groups 

Eligibility requirements vary by category and are outlined on the Nomination Categories page. 

The 2026 Excellence Awards include the following categories: 

• Excellence in Teaching  
• Excellence in Student Support 
• Excellence in Service & Operations 
• Excellence in Leadership 
• Excellence in Teamwork 

Each category includes specific eligibility requirements and criteria. Detailed descriptions are available on the Nomination Categories page. 

No. Each staff member or team may only be nominated in one category. Nominators are encouraged to select the category that best reflects the nominee’s role and impact.

No. There is no minimum or maximum number of criteria required. All nominations are assessed based on the overall information provided and how well it demonstrates excellence within the selected category.

Anyone may submit a nomination, including: 

• TDSB staff 
• Students 
• Parents and caregivers 
• Community members 

All nominators will receive a letter of gratitude. 

Yes. All nominees will receive a letter of recognition from the Office of the Director acknowledging their nomination.

No. Excellence Awards are for staff recognition and are only open to employees of the TDSB.

No. The Excellence Awards are a staff recognition program and are only open to employees of the Toronto District School Board.

Nominations are submitted online through the Excellence Awards website. A link to the nomination form will be available once nominations open.

The nomination form has been streamlined and is designed to be completed quickly. Most nominations can be completed in approximately 10 to 15 minutes once the required information is prepared.

Nominations will open in early February and will be open for four weeks. The nomination deadline will be posted on the website once the nomination period opens.