Current Awards
Call for Nominations for the Spring 2024 B. H. Rowland Award
Submission Deadline has passed
Submission Deadline has passed
The B. H. Rowland Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing and supporting the work
of early childhood professionals in North Carolina. It was established to honor Dr. Bobbie H. Rowland, a long-time
leader in the field of early care and education. The Foundation will grant annual awards in her honor to recognize
the efforts of early childhood professionals in North Carolina and to share their stories with others.
The Foundation’s annual award for Spring 2024 will be awarded to early childhood professionals who interact
directly with young children, work in one of the counties listed under the eligibility criteria below, and demonstrate excellence in creating outdoor learning opportunities to maximize learning across developmental domains for all children in their care.
Applicants must be nominated, and any application must be accompanied by a nominating letter explaining the exceptional work of the person nominated. Nomination Letter should:
- Provide information on the individual you are nominating (Name, Position, Employer and any additional relevant information)
- Provide information on the context in which you are familiar with the nominee. For example, your professional relationship to the nominee (Supervisor, Evaluator), how long you have known the nominee, type/frequency of interactions and any relevant information.
- In recognition of the outdoor environment as a critical component for children’s healthy development & learning, describe your thoughts/reflections on how the nominee demonstrates excellence in creating outdoor learning opportunities to maximize learning across developmental domains for all children.
Send your Nomination Letter electronically to the person you nominate so they can submit it with their online application.
Applicants selected to receive an award of excellence will receive a monetary award in the form of a gift card, as well
as a certificate of recognition. In addition, award recipients will be invited to share their stories at the NCAEYC
conference and will have their work showcased on the B. H. Rowland Foundation website.
Please review all eligibility and selection criteria for the 2024 award
Eligibility Criteria
● Early childhood professionals who work directly with children from birth through kindergarten
● Nominated by a supervisor, mentor, evaluator, consultant, or colleague
● Employed in early care and education centers or schools, family child care homes, early intervention
programs (B-5), or kindergarten classrooms
● Working in one of the following counties: Alexander, Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Davie, Gaston,
Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, or Union.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on information contained in the application portfolio. Selection will be based
on the strength of the documentation related to the following:
● Description of unique features (materials, activities) that allow children to explore, discover, play outdoors
● Specific goals and objectives related to outdoor learning; clearly defined strategies to achieve those
● Explanation of teachers’ role to facilitate learning, including how modifications are made to ensure all
children are included
● Description and documentation of ongoing reflection of practice/lessons learned
● Usefulness of practices and ideas for other early childhood professionals to consider
Application Process
Early childhood professionals must submit an application electronically. Application needs to include:
● Nomination Letter
● Completed application form
● Supporting documentation to demonstrate exceptional features of outdoor learning opportunities provided
to all children using a portfolio/collection of materials. Documentation may include children's work,
photos/videos, plans of outdoor environment/intentional teaching, additional letters of support.
Submission Deadline has passed
Visit the Award Recipients page to learn more about who has been honored.