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Adviser of the Year Award

The IASC's Thomas E. Stirling Adviser of the Year Award annually recognizes outstanding Student Council advisers from throughout the state of Indiana. These advisers exemplify the skills needed to teach and model leadership skills for future leaders. Thomas E. Stirling, who served as principal of Thomas Carr Howe High School in Indianapolis in the 1950's and 1960's, was instrumental in promoting leadership training throughout the state of Indiana. Mr. Stirling was also instrumental in the founding of the IASC's Summer Workshop. He held a strong belief in students and their goodness, possessed a strong and steady work ethic, and was a lifelong learner. Mr. Stirling made steady progress toward professional growth and helped other teachers to mature professionally. These attributes are among those recognized by the IASC award.

Nomination Criteria & Procedures

Three letters of recommendation must accompany this nomination. These letters of recommendation must be from: 1) the Nominee’s School Principal or Administrator, 2) the Nominee’s Student Council President, 3) the Nominee’s Colleague or Supervisor

To make a nomination, a school must have been an IASC member school for a minimum of two consecutive years.

IASC member schools can make just one nomination in any given year.

IASC Officials may receive the Thomas E. Stirling Adviser of the Year Award just once during their service to the IASC.

The overall Thomas E. Stirling Adviser of the Year Award Recipients shall not be considered again for five (5) years following receipt.

ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE MADE ON OR BEFORE January 26th, 2026.

Selection Procedures

A Selection Committee consisting of a team of IASC Officials will review the submissions of those nominated advisers.

The IASC will honor as many as 3 Regional Advisers of the Year from each of the IASC Divisions, one from each of the 3 IASC Regions: North, Central, and South, in the spring of each year at Representative Assembly. These honorees will then be placed in nomination for the overall Thomas E. Stirling Adviser of the Year. All High School & Middle Level Division honorees will be recognized and honored at Representative Assembly. Elementary Division honorees will be recognized and honored locally at their schools.

The selection committees will not contain any representative from the schools of those nominated.

Award

All Divisions’ Regional Advisers of the Year shall receive a certificate honoring their receipt of the award. Additionally, the Regional Advisers of the Year shall receive a complimentary registration to the IASC’s Advisers’ Conference.

All Divisions’ Regional Advisers of the Year shall be considered as candidates for the Thomas E. Stirling Adviser of the Year Award.

The Thomas E. Stirling Adviser of the Year shall receive a complimentary registration to all IASC student programs & events he/she attends in the 12 months following receipt of the award. Additionally, the honoree shall receive a plaque honoring their receipt of the award. Recipients will also be added to the list of past Thomas E. Stirling Adviser of the Year Award recipients on the IASC’s website – www.iasc.us.

Thomas E. Stirling Adviser of the Year Award Nomination Form

2025 Thomas E. Stirling Advisers of the Year