The Anne Dow Award for Excellence and Creativity 

The Anne Dow Award for Excellence and Creativity is given annually to a professional who has made outstanding efforts that reflect enthusiasm and creative, energetic, independent thinking. This professional displays the ability to take risks, solve problems, support colleagues, and model ethical behavior.

Specific criteria vary from year to year, to reflect the many facets of Anne's career and interests. The 2025 award will be granted for advocacy in support of English learners, including promoting instructional practices, educational policy, and/or civil rights at the school, district/institution, local or state level. The award includes a $1,000 honorarium.

The Dow Award welcomes nomination of individuals in early education, PK-12, adult, workplace or higher education programs that serve students learning English and multilingual learners. 

Candidates must be nominated for this award. Please see the Call for Nominations for details and instructions.

• 2025 Call for Nominations - Closed

This award honors Anne Rindlaub Dow, a MATSOL member and educator who was best known as the director of ESL programs at Harvard for over 20 years. She made a difference in the lives of many who knew her in the Boston area and throughout the world. 

Linda Schulman Innovation Grants

The Linda Schulman Innovation Fund invites applications for a $500 grant to support a creative pedagogical project in the school year 2025-26 that promotes English language development and embodies a spirit of innovation and creativity. Up to two grants will be awarded. 

Please see the Call for Proposals for details and instructions on how to apply.

• 2025 Call for Proposals - closed

Linda Schulman served on the MATSOL Board of Directors and was President of MATSOL from 1997-1998. 

Past Recipients

2024 Award Recipients

Anne Dow Award for Excellence and Creativity 

Thao Nguyen 

For leadership in support of English learners

Linda Schulman Innovation Grants

Mali Lim

SouthCoast Afghan Welcome Network, City of New Bedford. Project: Shining Lights: New Beginnings

Ilka Kostka

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester. Project Enhancing English communication skills for adult learners through group tutoring

View a complete list of past recipients...