In recognition of unique circumstances, the CATE Board of Directors may occasionally present a special award, such as a Career Achievement Award. The following special awards have been presented by CATE.
1976 – Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss), CATE First Annual Children’s Literature Award
1976 – Ray Bradbury, CATE California Writer of the Year Award
1977 – Jessamyn West, CATE California Author of the Year Award
1978 – Josephine Miles, CATE California Author of the Year Award
1979 – N. Scott Momaday, CATE Distinguished Author Award
1980 – Maya Angelou, CATE Author of the Year Award
1981 – James Moffett, CATE Author of the Year Award
1982 – Beverly Cleary, CATE Author of the Year Award
1983 – Francis Ford Coppola, CATE Award of Recognition for Transforming Fiction to Film
1988 – Marion Zimmer Bradley, CATE Author of the Year Award
1992 – Mary Barr, California Literature Project, CATE Special Recognition Award
1992 – James Gray, California Writing Project, CATE Special Recognition Award
1995 – Jesse Perry, Past-President, NCTE, CATE Special Award
2000 – Fran Claggett, CATE Career Achievement Award
2002 – Mary Ann Smith, Former Director California Writing Project, Co-Director, National Writing Project,
CATE Career Achievement Award
2004 – James Gray, National Writing Project, CATE Career Achievement Award
2006 – Mary Catherine Swanson, AVID Founder, CATE Career Achievement Award
2009 – Pam Munoz Ryan, CATE Author of the Year Award
2018 – Kermeen “Punky” Fristrom , Attendance at 50 CATE Conventions