The George King Award of Excellence 2026
(Revised November 30, 2024)
NOMINATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL MARCH 27, 2026
"OPEN TO MEMBERS OF OCEA ONLY"
George King was the President of the Ontario Cooperative Education Association (OCEA) in 1986-1987. As President, George was tireless in his quest to ensure that OCEA achieved the status of a professional organization that was dedicated to ensuring the best for Cooperative Education – the best resources, the best and most qualified teachers, the best experiences for all students. George believed that no other program in our educational system impacted so directly on the relationship of school to community than Cooperative Education.
In 1991, the OCEA “Award of Excellence” was renamed the “George King Award of Excellence” to honour the man that many believed embodied the very foundation of this award – QUALITY, EXCELLENCE, and INTEGRITY.
THE “GEORGE KING AWARD OF EXCELLENCE” IS THE HIGHEST, MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD THAT OCEA CAN BESTOW TO ITS MEMBERS.
This award may be presented annually to a teacher and board level educator who has distinguished themselves by making an ongoing and outstanding LOCAL, REGIONAL, and PROVINCIAL contribution to Cooperative Education and / or other forms of Experiential Learning for a minimum of five years in the Province of Ontario.
The growth and development of the Ontario Cooperative Education Association (OCEA) is the result of teachers and board level educators who have worked diligently and have contributed their talents and energies to promote Cooperative Education and all other forms of Experiential Learning in the Province of Ontario.
To recognize and acknowledge these teachers and board level educators’ exceptional contributions, OCEA has made it an annual tradition to present the George King Award of Excellence to one deserving teacher / board level educator during the annual OCEA Spring Conference.
NOTE: When nominating an OCEA member for this most prestigious award, please keep in mind that the example(s) for each of the criterion can be used only once. If one example meets several criteria, clearly make the connection:
FOR EXAMPLE: VOLUNTEER OCEA CONFERENCE / SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPATION:
1) OCEA Conference or Symposium Presenter (Professional Instruction).
2) OCEA Conference Chair (Leadership).
3) OCEA Conference Planning Team Member (Organization).
4) OCEA Conference Reviewer for the OCEA e-NEWS (Contributor to Professional Publication).
THE “GEORGE KING AWARD OF EXCELLENCE” CRITERION AND SUBMISSION PROCESS:
1) Nominations must be completed using the “GEORGE KING AWARD OF EXCELLENCE” TEMPLATE and must be submitted to the OCEA Awards' Chair by the specified due date (as noted on the nomination form).
2) IN ADDITION, TO THE NOMINATION FORM, A MINIMUM ONE-PAGE TYPED SUMMARY MUST BE INCLUDED TO FURTHER SUPPORT THE NOMINATION.
3) The Nominee and nominators (2) MUST be current members of OCEA and MUST be members in GOOD STANDING with the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).
4) Nominators must clearly indicate on the nomination form that the nominee has displayed ongoing commitment and involvement to Cooperative Education and / or any other form of Experiential Learning for a minimum of five years in the Province of Ontario.
5) Nominations can only be submitted (for the same individual) for one award in any given year.
6) Only one recipient shall be chosen for the George King Award of Excellence per year. HOWEVER, the Awards’ Sub-Committee have the option to recommend that, for a given year, NO recipient be selected for the George King Award of Excellence.
7) OCEA Provincial Representatives, OCEA affiliate groups, and district school board Cooperative Education councils are encouraged to nominate worthy recipients.
8) Selection of award recipient will be made by an OCEA Awards’ Sub-committee made up of the current OCEA Board of Directors.
9) In any given year, any current member of OCEA, excluding the current OCEA Board of Directors and Provincial Representatives, is eligible to be nominated for the George King Award of Excellence if they meet ALL criterions of this most prestigious award.
10) OCEA Past-Presidents / Past-Chairs are not eligible to be nominated for the George King Award of Excellence for a period of three years after serving their term as Chair / President.
NOMINATION FORM / TEMPLATE
