The purpose of the Mensa Distinguished Teacher Award is to recognize a teacher, professor, or instructor at any educational level who has had an especially positive influence on the education or life of a Mensa member. Nomination forms and detailed rules were sent to each local group in the October mailing and are available on the Mensa Foundation portion of the Mensa web site. The teacher being nominated must agree (in writing) to being submitted for consideration.

Nominations will be accepted only from members in good standing of American Mensa, Ltd. The nomination form, signed teacher agreement form, and an essay of not more than 500 words must be submitted to the Mensa Education & Research Foundation. not later than February 1. Essays will be judged by a committee of not less than three nor more than seven Mensa members. Nominations received that do not conform to the rules of the competition will be rejected.

The winning teacher and the essay writer will be invited to the Mensa Foundation President's reception at the Annual Gathering. If the teacher does not attend, arrangements will be made to present the award at another time and place. The teacher will receive a plaque and the teacher's school district will receive a plaque and a cash donation.


Nominations for the Distinguished Teacher Award are being taken. Distinguished Teacher Award applications are available online in PDF form (also available in fill-in format) or by mail from: