AATSP EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) AWARD 

This new award was inspired by the AATSP’s Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the spirit of our 2021 AATSP Annual Conference that celebrated diversity. The AATSP knows that individual teachers of all levels are doing significant work in DEI across cultures with their students, colleagues, and in their institutions and communities. PreK through university level instructors of Portuguese and/or Spanish are encouraged to self-nominate or allow others to nominate them. The AATSP wants to honor this work.

The award will be presented to a teacher-member who creates inclusive communities both in the classroom and beyond that represent the rich diversity of communities served. DEI work takes many different forms such as (but not limited to) an educator who might be providing professional development to others about inclusive learning environments (e.g., presentations, social media, blogs), designing curriculum to support DEI, or initiatives to advocate for DEI in educational organizations/institutions, on campuses, or in school districts. 

2025 DEI Award Winner

Professor John T. Maddox is the 2025 recipient of the AATSP Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Professor Maddox teaches Spanish at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, AL.

Through his tireless mentorship and deep-rooted community engagement, Dr. Maddox exemplifies a profound commitment to advancing equity in language education. This commitment includes extensive support of local community and university events such as the Palomitas Film Club, Spanish Language Ambassadors, Sigma Delta Pi, Spanish Club and table, and the AATSP graduate student essay competition. His involvement in the DEI Hispanic Heritage Month Committee at his institution and extensive outreach to the Alabaman community speak to his dedication and commitment to social justice.

John T. Maddox writes:

We live in confusing times. "Diversity. Equity, and Inclusion" seemed only yesterday like shared American values. Now, these signifiers have been hollowed out and refilled with a resentment-tinged signified to censor teachers and mislead future generations. I commend the AATSP for maintaining its nonpartisan mission of supporting all teachers and students, not in spite of, but because of our varied backgrounds.

NOMINATIONS:

Nominations for this award will document nominee-led initiatives that cultivate, promote, and foster a more diverse, equitable, and/or inclusive environment; and will demonstrate the impacts of outcomes from DEI initiatives. Nominations for this award will follow the guidelines below. 

Criteria and Eligibility

• Must be a current AATSP member with at least two (2) years of AATSP membership and teaching experience

Materials submitted:

• Nomination letter: should describe the nominee’s approach to creating a diverse and inclusive educational environment and the impact of their efforts 
• Current CV (Curriculum Vitae/Resume)
• Three (3) letters of support (sent under separate cover directly from the person sending the recommendation); one letter must be from an AATSP member
• Personal Statement and optional materials/evidence to support the nomination 
• Winner will be recognized at the AATSP Annual Conference 

Award: $500. 

On January 1, 2026, the AATSP will begin accepting applications for the 2026 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award. 

Application Deadline: March 15, 2026

Email Nominations to awards@aatsp.org

The applications will be reviewed by the AATSP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee: