AVTE Professional Awards

Submit Your Nommination

The AVTE awards honor individuals and programs who have demonstrated excellence over the past year. They recognize the varied ways that a significant impact can be made on the veterinary technician education field. We hope that you will take the time to nominate your colleagues and peers who influence your work and that of our industry.

In August, at AVTE's Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon, we will present the awards. Please use this form to share the story of deserving candidates with the AVTE Awards Committee. Submissions must be made by Friday, March 27, 2026 at 5pm EST. Please contact Michele Von Deak ([email protected]) for more information or if you have any difficulties completing the form.

See the lists of past winners.

 

AVTE Margi Sirois Veterinary Technician Educator of the Year Award

Purpose of the Award

This award honors the memory and legacy of Margi Sirois, EdD, MS, RVT, LAT. Margi was a fierce advocate for advancing veterinary technology and veterinary technician educators. Margi was also a past president of the AVTE. The AVTE supports veterinary technicians as integral members of the veterinary health care team. Veterinary Technicians are teachers who model respectful and effective teamwork in their professional lives and assist their students in integrating these skills into their work patterns. 

The AVTE, therefore, offers the Margi Sirois Veterinary Technician Educator of the Year Award to credentialed technician educators who have demonstrated exceptional strength in representing veterinary technicians in the field of education and exemplify works towards advancing the field of veterinary technology. 

The Award

The Award will be presented at the AVTE Annual Conference General Meeting in August 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. One Veterinary Technician may receive the Award every year. The winning technician will receive a personalized crystal award and a letter of recognition from AVTE.  

Criteria

Eligibility for nomination for the AVTE Margi Sirois Veterinary Technician Educator of the Year Award is based on the following:

  1. The nominee is a credentialed veterinary technician in good standing with their state veterinary medical board.

  2. The technician must be affiliated with at least one AVMA/CVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.

  3. The technician (or the educational institution) must be a member of the AVTE and in good standing. 

  4. The technician has shown to excel in leadership and education of veterinary technician students.

Considerations of the Awards Committee:

Recipients of the AVTE Margi Sirois Veterinary Technician Educator of the Year Award will be expected to have demonstrated one or more of the following:

  1. Exceptional examples of working to obtain recognition for the profession.

  2. Effective collaboration and teamwork.

  3. Creativity and vision in developing innovative learning opportunities for veterinary technician students.

  4. Evidence of the technician’s effect on student success (i.e., improving VTNE scores or employer satisfaction).

  5. Construction of a respectful, supportive environment for learning.

  6. Promotion of the veterinary health care team concept.

  7. Development of a professional image for veterinary technicians at their institution and/or affiliated externship sites.

  8. Demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development by actively seeking opportunities for continued education, skill enhancement and/or knowledge sharing.

Nomination Procedures

Nominations may come from other programs directors or colleagues, administrators, full- or part-time faculty, academic staff members, or alumni.

Nomination applications must include the following:

  1. Name of the veterinary technician, their school affiliations, and contact information.

  2. A detailed description of background information and history.

  3. A detailed description of the veterinary technician and how they directly influence and support veterinary technology education. 

  4. Two signed, typed letters of support. Supporting letters of recommendation should come from diverse cohorts. Letters must indicate how the nominee has achieved excellence in educating veterinary technician students.

Innovation in Teaching Award

Purpose of the Award

This award recognizes an educator who has demonstrated exceptional creativity and innovation in designing and implementing instructional strategies that enhance student engagement, learning outcomes, and academic success. The recipient has developed and applied forward-thinking teaching methodologies, including but not limited to active learning techniques, technology integration, novel assessment methods, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Their innovative approach has had a measurable impact on student learning, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world application of knowledge.

The Award

One educator may receive the Award every year. Each recipient will receive a personalized crystal award and a letter of recognition from AVTE. The recipient will receive the Award at the AVTE Annual Conference General Meeting.

Criteria

Eligibility for nomination for the AVTE Innovation in Teaching Award is based on the following:

  1. The nominee is a credentialed veterinary technician or veterinarian in good standing with their state veterinary medical board.

  2. The technician or veterinarian must be affiliated with at least one AVMA/CVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.

  3. The nominee must have taught for a minimum of two years.

  4. The educator must be a member of the AVTE and in good standing.

Considerations of the Awards Committee:

Innovation in teaching should not be narrowly defined However, recipients of the AVTE Award for Innovation in Teaching will be expected to have:

  1. Comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter, specifically related to veterinary technology.

  2. Established a reputation among students and colleagues for superior teaching, including the ability to interest and motivate students to achieve high standards.

  3. Demonstrates that efforts are made to keep abreast of new teaching methods, curriculum development, and course design.

  4. Contributes to enhancing the educational activities and responsibilities of the institution where they work.

  5. Demonstrates creativity in instructional methods, including active learning, technology integration, and novel assessments.

  6. Shows evidence of improved student performance, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

  7. Shares innovations, contributes to curriculum development, and fosters mentorship or collaboration.

Nomination Procedures

Nominations may come from administrators, full-time or part-time or contract academic staff members, or alumni.

Nomination applications must include the following:

  1. Name of the veterinary technician or veterinarian, school affiliations, and contact information.

  2. A detailed description of background information and history.

  3. A detailed description of the veterinary technician and how they directly influence and support veterinary technology education. 

  4. Two signed, typed letters of support. Supporting letters of recommendation should come from diverse cohorts. Letters must indicate how the nominee has achieved excellence in educating veterinary technician students.

Program of the Year Award

Purpose of the Award

The AVTE supports veterinary technicians as integral members of the veterinary health care team. Teachers who model respectful and effective teamwork in their own professional lives assist their students in integrating these skills into their work patterns. 

Therefore the AVTE Program of the Year Award is offered to veterinary technician education programs that have demonstrated exceptional strength in working collaboratively to generate creative learning opportunities for their students. The AVTE encourages teamwork in the educational process and clinical environments.

The Award

One program may receive the Award every year. The winning program will receive a crystal award and a letter of recognition from AVTE. The program will receive the Award at the AVTE Annual Conference General Meeting.

Criteria

Eligibility for nomination for the AVTE Program of the Year Award is based on the following:

  1. The program must be affiliated with at least one AVMA/CVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.

  2. At least one member of the program (or the educational institution as a whole) must be a member of the AVTE and in good standing.

  3. The program must include two or more educators.

  4. The product of the program's efforts must directly benefit the education of veterinary technicians.

Considerations of the Awards Committee:

Recipients of the AVTE Program of the Year Award will be expected to have demonstrated one or more of the following:

  1. Effective collaboration and teamwork.

  2. Creativity and vision in developing innovative learning opportunities for veterinary technician students.

  3. Evidence of the program’s effect on student success (i.e., improving VTNE scores or employer satisfaction).

  4. Construction of a respectful, supportive environment for learning.

  5. Promotion of the veterinary health care team concept.

  6. Development of a professional image for veterinary technicians at their institution and/or affiliated externship sites.

Nomination Procedures

Nominations may come from administrators, full-time or part-time or contract academic staff members, or alumni.

Nomination applications must include the following:

  1. A list of the team members' names, their school affiliations, and contact information.

  2. A detailed description of the nature of the collaboration, background information, and history of the program and its current nominated faculty.

  3. A detailed description of the program’s mission statement and how the program models that statement, and how they are benefiting veterinary technology students.

  4. Two signed, typed letters of support. Supporting letters of recommendation should come from diverse cohorts. Letters must indicate how the nominated program has successfully educated veterinary technician students.

Program Director of the Year Award

Purpose of the Award

The AVTE supports veterinary technicians as integral members of the veterinary health care team. Teachers who model respectful and effective teamwork in their own professional lives assist their students in integrating these skills into their work patterns. 

The AVTE, therefore, offers the Program Director of the Year Award to educators who have demonstrated exceptional strength in working collaboratively to generate creative learning opportunities for their students. The AVTE encourages teamwork in the educational process and clinical environments.

The Award

One Program Director may receive the Award every year. The winning director will receive a personalized crystal award and a letter of recognition from AVTE. The director will receive the Award at the AVTE Annual Conference General Meeting.

Criteria

Eligibility for nomination for the AVTE Award for Program Director of the Year is based on the following:

  1. The Program Director must be affiliated with at least one AVMA/CVMA-accredited veterinary technology program.

  2. The Director (or the educational institution as a whole) must be a member of the AVTE and in good standing. 

  3. The Director has shown to excel in leadership and education of veterinary technician students.

Considerations of the Awards Committee:

Recipients of the AVTE Program Director of the Year Award will be expected to have demonstrated one or more of the following:

  1. Effective collaboration and teamwork.

  2. Creativity and vision in developing innovative learning opportunities for veterinary technician students.

  3. Evidence of the director’s effect on student success (i.e., improving VTNE scores or employer satisfaction).

  4. Construction of a respectful, supportive environment for learning.

  5. Promotion of the veterinary health care team concept.

  6. Development of a professional image for veterinary technicians at their institution and/or affiliated externship sites.

  7. Successfully guided a program through significant challenges, development or growth.
  8. Is a skillful leader, harnessing the strengths of their team.

Nomination Procedures

Nominations may come from other programs directors or colleagues, administrators, full- or part-time faculty, academic staff members, or alumni.

Nomination applications must include the following:

  1. Name of the Program Director, their school affiliations, and contact information.

  2. A detailed description of background information and history.

  3. A detailed description of the director and how they directly influence and support veterinary technology education. 

  4. Two signed, typed letters of support. Supporting letters of recommendation should come from diverse cohorts.  Letters must indicate how the nominee has achieved excellence in educating veterinary technician students.

Clinical Externship Excellence Award

Purpose of the Award

The AVTE Award has been established to honor externship facilities and mentors who are recognized as working collaboratively with veterinary technology programs to generate creative learning opportunities for clinical rotation students.

The Award

One team or individual may receive the Award every year. The recipient(s) will receive a personalized crystal award and a letter of recognition from AVTE. The recipient will receive the Award at the General Meeting of the AVTE Annual Conference.

Criteria

Eligibility for nomination for the AVTE Clinical Externship Excellence Award is based on the following:

  1. Individual members that have mentored clinical rotation students.

  2. Clinical externship sites that have provided mentorship opportunities to clinical rotation students.

  3. Exceptional performance in mentorship.

Considerations of the Awards Committee:

Excellence in mentorship should not be narrowly defined. However, recipients of the AVTE Clinical Externship Excellence Award will be expected to have:

  1. Demonstrates the ability to interest and motivate students to achieve high standards.

  2. Contributes to the development of essential skills for clinical rotation students.

  3. Promotes the development of a professional image for technicians.

  4. Provides innovative learning opportunities for veterinary technician students.

  5. Maintains a respectful, supportive environment for learning.

  6. Promotion of the veterinary health care team concept.

Nomination Procedures

Nominations may come from administrators, full-time or part-time or contract academic staff members, or alumni.  

Nomination applications must include the following:

  1. Name of the nominee(s), affiliation, and contact information.

  2. A detailed description of background information and history.

  3. A detailed description of the nominee(s) and how they directly influence and support veterinary technology education.

  4. Two signed, typed letters of support. Ideally, nominators represent more than one group (i.e. not only students or faculty). Letters must indicate how the nominee(s) have achieved excellence in mentorship, including evidence that the criteria described above have been met.

 

President’s Lifetime Award for Veterinary Technician Educators

Purpose of the Award

The President’s Award for Veterinary Technician Educators is a distinguished honor that recognizes an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to the education and development of veterinary technicians throughout their career. This award is given to an educator whose dedication to teaching, mentoring, and shaping the future of veterinary medicine has left a lasting and meaningful impact on the profession.

Recipients of this award have demonstrated exceptional leadership both in the classroom through clinical instruction and curriculum development, and out of the classroom working with the veterinary community.

This honor celebrates the recipient's lifelong dedication to fostering the growth of the next generation of veterinary technicians, their relentless pursuit of educational excellence, and their enduring influence on the veterinary community. The recipient’s career is a testament to the transformative power of education and the profound difference one educator can make in shaping the future of the animal healthcare team.

The Award

One individual may receive the Award every year. The recipient(s) will receive a personalized crystal award and a letter of recognition from AVTE. The recipient will receive the Award at the General Meeting of the AVTE Annual Conference.

Nomination Procedures

Nominations may come from administrators, full-time or part-time or contract academic staff members, or alumni.  

Nomination applications must include the following:

  1. Name of the nominee(s), affiliation, and contact information.

  2. A detailed description of background information and history.

  3. A detailed description of the nominee(s) and how they directly influence and support veterinary technology education.

  4. A minimum of two and a maximum of five signed, typed letters of support. Ideally, nominators represent more than one group (i.e. not only students or faculty). Letters must indicate how the nominee(s) have achieved excellence in mentorship, including evidence that the criteria described above have been met.


    Submit Your Nommination