COLUMBUS — The Ohio Civil Rights Commission is accepting nominations for the first annual Excellence in Teaching Diversity Award. This award seeks to acknowledge one outstanding Ohio grade 6-12 teacher who demonstrates exemplary dedication to diversity and teaching the lessons of civil rights in the classroom.

Eligible nominees must be current or former grade 6-12 teachers at an Ohio school.

The winner will be chosen based on consistent practice of celebrating diversity, ability to incorporate the lessons and tenants of the civil rights movement and Ohio’s civil rights laws into the classroom, and respect and recognition by students and the community. Nominations will be reviewed by the staff and Commissioners of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.

“We are excited to officially commence the nomination process for this new award. It will be an honor to recognize Ohio’s extraordinary teachers and their dedication to diversity and civil rights,” said Leonard Hubert, Chair of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.

For information on the award and selection criteria, visit https://goo.gl/l13HJ3

For a nomination form, visit, https://goo.gl/yQriQA

Nominations may be emailed to [email protected] or postmarked by Nov. 4, 2016. Paper applications should be sent to Ohio Civil Rights Commission, Attn: PACE, 30 E. Broad St., 5th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.