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The International Society for Transforming Education Reveals 2026 Honorees for Innovation and Excellence in Education

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June 30, 2026

This year's honorees were recognized at the second annual co-located ISTELive and ASCD Annual Conference for advancing digital learning, improving student outcomes, and leading transformational change.

ORLANDO, FL (June 30, 2026) – The International Society for Transforming Education today announced the recipients of several 2026 awards including: the ISTE+ASCD Impact Award, Distinguished District Award, Distinguished Educator Preparation Program Award, 20 to Watch Award, Transformational Learning Leader Award, and Making It Happen Award. These honorees have been recognized at this year’s ISTELive and ASCD Annual Conference, in Orlando, Florida.

“The future of education is being shaped by leaders who are willing to challenge assumptions, embrace innovation, and keep learners at the center of every decision,” said Richard Culatta, CEO of the International Society for Transforming Education. “This year’s honorees are demonstrating what’s possible when vision, purpose, and practice come together to create meaningful opportunities for students and educators around the world.”

ISTE+ASCD Impact Award
This award recognizes individuals who make significant contributions to transforming learning and improving education systems on a broad scale. The 2026 recipients are:

  • Baruti Kafele, Educational Consultant, Retired Principal, and Author, Principal Kafele Consulting, LLC (Jersey City, NJ)
  • Isabelle Hau, Executive Director and Author, Stanford Accelerator for Learning (Palo Alto, CA)
  • Ted Dintersmith, Education Advocate, Author, and Filmmaker (Charleston, SC)

ISTE+ASCD Distinguished District Award
This award honors school districts that demonstrate effectiveness and innovation in using technology to improve student outcomes and engagement. The 2026 recipients include:

  • Antelope Valley Union High School District (Lancaster, CA): Greg Nehen, Superintendent; Loy Dakwa, Ed.D., Professional Development Coordinator; David Rivas, Teacher Induction Mentor; Ben Jefferson, Teacher Induction Mentor; Cami Hernandez, Teacher Induction Mentor; and Cara McKnight, Teacher Induction Mentor.

     

    Serving approximately 22,000 students across urban, suburban, and rural communities, Antelope Valley Union High School District is united in providing equitable learning opportunities for all students. The districts’ vision is to ensure that the diverse learning needs of all students are met from caring, professional educators who make inquiry the focus of their professional development.

     

  • Norwalk Public Schools (Norwalk, CT): Alexandra Estrella, Ed.D., Superintendent; Rob Pennington, Assistant Superintendent of Schools; Stacey Bergin, Education Administrator of Humanities; Danielle Brown, Education Administrator of Humanities; and Frances Saez, Education Administrator of Multilingual Learners.

     

    Norwalk Public Schools, which educates nearly 12,000 students across four high schools, four middle schools, 13 elementary schools, and one inclusive pre-school, is dedicated to providing an excellent and equitable education so all students graduate future ready as civically responsible, globally engaged, and positive contributors to an ever-changing and diverse world.

ISTE+ASCD Distinguished Educator Preparation Program Award
This award celebrates educator preparation programs that demonstrate innovative uses of technology to prepare future teachers. The 2026 honoree is:

  • Ball State University, Teachers College (Muncie, IN): Katrina Bulkley, Ph.D., Dean; Susan Tancock, Ph.D., Associate Dean; Jon Clausen, Ph.D., Professor of Secondary Education and Educational Technology; Henry Yu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Educational Technology; and Penny Craig, Ph.D., Teaching Professor of Special Education.

ISTE+ASCD 20 To Watch Award
This award recognizes 20 up-and-coming individuals who are already making a difference through their work. Winners have exemplified excellence through projects or artifacts that others can replicate. The 2026 honorees are:

  • Alex Mayszak, Director of Digital Learning and Innovation, East Moline School District #37 (East Moline, IL)
  • Amanda Hunt, Library Media Specialist, Comal ISD (New Braunfels, TX)
  • Becca Tessarolo, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Cherry Creek School District (Aurora, CO)
  • Caio Gomes, Multilingual Teacher and AI Literacy Specialist, DeKalb School District 428 (DeKalb, IL)
  • Cassidy Swinney, Ed.S., Ed.D., Upper School Instructor, Jackson Academy (Jackson, MS)
  • Catherine Sciortino, AI Coordinator and Science Teacher, Xaverian Brothers High School (Westwood, MA)
  • Eric Sera, Business Educator, Munster High School (Munster, IN)
  • Hermilo Arbuyes Jr., Math and Science Teacher, Cleveland High School (Clayton, NC)
  • Ilka Kostka, Ph.D., Teaching Professor, Northeastern University (Boston, MA)
  • Isaac Abraham Diaz Chavez, EFL Teacher, Centro Escolar INSA / Universidad de El Salvador (Santa Ana, El Salvador)
  • Jesse Wren, Ed.D., Lower School Teacher and Professional Development Coordinator, Riverfield Country Day School (Tulsa, OK)
  • Jessica Hernandez, Doctoral Candidate, California State University, Northridge (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Kelsy Achtenberg, Executive Director, The Innovation School (Bismarck, ND)
  • Lama Alali, Head of Science Department and STEM Leader, Encyclopedia School of Science (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
  • Marina Pisto, General Education Teacher, Pocantico Hills Central School District (Sleepy Hollow, NY)
  • Patrice Wade, Director of Technology, Guilford Preparatory Academy (Greensboro, NC)
  • Rachel Arbor, CEO and Founder, Gaia Scholastic (Beacon, NY)
  • Rachel Edoho-Eket, Ed.D., Principal, Howard County Public School System (Columbia, MD)
  • Rawan El Adawi, Educational Technology Lead and PYP ICT Teacher, MEF International School (Istanbul, Turkey)
  • Taylor Howard, Project Lead the Way Teacher, Indian River School District (Georgetown, DE)

ISTE+ASCD 20 To Watch Honorable Mention Award
The 2026 honorable mention recipients are:

  • Anni Kumar, Head of Department, Computer Science, Vikas Bharati Public School (Delhi, India)
  • Braian Lucas Camargo Almeida, EdTech Consultant, Editora do Brasil (João Pessoa, Brazil)
  • Craig Aarons-Martin, Chief Executive Officer, CCM Education Group (Boston, MA)
  • Jennifer Freedman, Director of Instructional Technology and Innovation, Lindenhurst UFSD (Lindenhurst, NY)
  • Jessica Holloway, Instructional Coach, Hamilton County Schools (Chattanooga, TN)
  • Kimberly Zajac, Speech Language Pathologist, Norton Public Schools (Norton, MA)
  • Michelle Chanda Singh, Ed.D., Educator, Author and Speaker, LCT-E Learning Solutions, University of Miami, Miami Dade College (Miami, FL)
  • Rex Banzon, Inclusion/Resource Teacher, Halifax County Schools (Halifax, NC)
  • Tawanda Brown, School Improvement Coach, Fulton County Schools (Atlanta, GA)

ISTE+ASCD Transformational Learning Leader Award
This award recognizes a school district instructional leader who has made significant contributions to education and is continually striving to enhance pedagogy and learning for all students. The 2026 recipient is:

  • Judith White, Ed.D., Chief Academic Officer, Prince George’s County Public Schools (Upper Marlboro, MD)

ISTE+ASCD Making It Happen Award
This award honors visionary educators and leaders who cultivate connected, empowered learners. The 2026 honorees are:

  • Al Kingsley, Group CEO, Advisor, Author, and Speaker, NetSupport, Ltd. (Peterborough, England)
  • Craig Aarons-Martin, Chief Executive Officer, CCM Education Group (Boston, MA)
  • Matthew Mingle, Ed.D., J.D., Superintendent, Warren Township Schools (Somerville, NJ)
  • Nikole Blanchard, Head of Educational Technology and Innovation, University Lab School, Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, LA)
  • Tara Nattrass, Ed.D., Chief Innovation Strategist, Education, Lenovo (Arlington, VA)
     

About the International Society for Transforming Education
The International Society for Transforming Education is a nonprofit that guides and inspires educators to create purposeful, high-quality learning experiences that reflect each learner's skills, interests, and identities through aligned instructional strategies, technology, and educator practice.