The Reed Taylor Award
​for Excellence in Human Rights EducatioN

​Nelson Mandela famously said that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”  With this in mind, the Academy for Human Rights staff has been looking for a way to both highlight the outstanding work of local educators and honor those who inspire us to do the work we do.
 
Out of this desire, The Reed Taylor Award for Excellence in Human Rights Education was born.  On November 27, 2018 Reed Taylor was the first recipient of this award. His life marks a history full of service to others and causes that he held dear.
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​​A few highlights include meeting Dr. King and offering support to his family after his death, driving the injured on Bloody Sunday, serving in the Peace Corps, and in 1983 he was a founding member of The Holocaust Resource Center of Buffalo and taught its first distance learning course. Recently, Reed served as a Board Member for the Academy of Human Rights and was a tutor for recently arrived refugee children, ages 6-10, as part of the ENERGY Program of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Reed is a family man and a teacher. He has taught in many places, but most of his career was as an American Literature Teacher in Amherst, NY, where in 1987 he was named NYS Regional Teacher of the Year.
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The Academy for Human Rights is proud to honor teachers in Western New York who exemplify Reed’s passion for humanity and service. Please consider nominating a teacher that you work with who has these characteristics. 

Important Information:
  • All applications must be received by 11:59PM on Friday, September 20th, of each year.
  • The winner of the award will receive a $500.00 cash prize and two scholarships for their students to use to attend next year's Academy for Human Rights.
  • That teacher will be honored at the Academy for Human Rights' Fall teacher events and if accepted, must be present to receive the award. 
  • Current or former students (and their parents) can make nominations, as well as colleagues, administrators and community members. (Sorry, no self-nominations, nor those coming from family members, will be accepted.)