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ISTE+ASCD Awards

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We recognize teachers, leaders, districts and contributors throughout the education ecosystem for their achievements, impact and potential.

Learn about all our awards, then nominate a deserving educator!
 

Nominations for 2025 are now closed.

2025 Press Release: ISTE+ASCD Reveals 2025 Honorees for Innovation and Excellence in Education

ISTE+ASCD Distinguished District Award

ISTE+ASCD Distinguished Districts are U.S. school districts that are driving change in big ways throughout a school system. These districts search out and embrace change to improve the learning experience for all students, and serve as a lighthouse for other schools to follow.

Candidates:

  • Demonstrate effectiveness and innovation throughout their district.
  • Focus on improving learner outcomes and continuously enhancing the learning experience.
  • Bring along all stakeholders, including staff, students, families and the community, in the process.

View Past Award Winners

Award Package:

  • Engraved plaque acknowledging the district’s outstanding achievement.
  • Four, one-year individual ISTE or ASCD memberships.
  • One ISTE Certification for Educators enrollment ($800 value).
  • Four complimentary registrations to the co-located ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual Conference 25 ($895 value).
  • $2,000 travel stipend to attend ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual 25.
  • Chance to be featured in a panel or session at ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual 25.
  • Recognition at the conferences and on the ISTE+ASCD website.
  • Opportunities to contribute such as presenting a webinar, participating in a podcast, or highlighted in an article.

ISTE+ASCD 20 to Watch Award

Each year, ISTE+ASCD recognizes 20 innovative early-career educators who are already making a difference through their work. Winners have exemplified excellence in creating transformational learning experiences for students.

Candidates:

  • Demonstrate the ability to bring innovation into their learning environment.
  • Continuously improve their practice through exploration of new techniques and reflection on current practices.
  • Reflect ISTE+ASCD’s mission to reimagine and redesign learning by sharing their solutions and strategies with other educators.
  • Award-winning examples look like: Executing a new professional development program for teachers that focuses on the Transformational Learning Principles, developing game-based curriculum to increase student engagement, organizing global collaborations for their students, etc.

View Past Award Winners

ISTE+ASCD Distinguished Educator Preparation Program Award

ISTE+ASCD Distinguished Educator Preparation Programs are Educator Preparation Programs that are leading the transformation of teacher preparation. These innovative programs are providing preservice teachers opportunities to build their skills through the use of technologically innovative practices. By embracing collaboration, emphasizing continuous learning and ensuring equitable learning opportunities, these programs serve as models for others across the country.

Candidates:

  • Demonstrate innovative approaches to integrating technology in teacher preparation, showing clear evidence of impact on preservice teachers' skills.
  • Foster a collaborative culture that emphasizes continuous professional learning among faculty and teacher candidates.
  • Show commitment to equitable learning opportunities through program design, implementation and outcomes that can serve as a model for other institutions.

View Past Award Winners

Award Package:

  • Engraved plaque acknowledging the recipient’s outstanding achievement.
  • A one-year individual ISTE or ASCD membership.
  • Recognition at the co-located ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual Conference 25, and on the ISTE+ASCD website.
  • $500 travel stipend to attend ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual 25.
  • Complimentary registration for ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual 25 ($895 value).
  • Chance to be featured in a panel or session at ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual 25.
  • Opportunities to contribute such as presenting a webinar, participating in a podcast, or highlighted in an article.

Winners receive a complimentary registration to the
co-located ASCD Annual Conference and ISTELive 25!

Candidates for the following awards are nominated and selected by ISTE+ASCD.

ISTE+ASCD Impact Award

About

The ISTE+ASCD Impact Award recognizes individuals who have done outstanding work to improve learning opportunities at a national or global level. Impact Award recipients have been a major force for innovation in education. These are trailblazers whose work motivates and engages others, and has an impact for years to come.


View Past Award Winners

Winners

  • Are education innovators on a national or global level.
  • Focus on closing opportunity gaps to create a more equitable education system.
  • Use and champion the others’ use of the ISTE+ASCD Transformational Learning Principles to elevate meaningful and impactful learning, teaching and leading.

Award Package

  • Engraved plaque acknowledging the recipient’s outstanding achievement.
  • $500 cash prize.
  • A one-year premium individual ISTE or ASCD membership ($295 value).
  • Recognition at the co-located ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual Conference 25, and on the ISTE+ASCD website.
  • $1,000 travel stipend to attend ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual 25.
  • Complimentary registration for ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual 25 ($895 value).
  • Opportunities to contribute such as presenting a webinar, participating in a podcast, or highlighted in an article.

ISTE+ASCD Transformational Learning Leader Award

About

The ISTE+ASCD Transformational Learning Leader Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to education and exemplify the ISTE+ASCD mission by continually striving to enhance pedagogy and learning for all students. These leaders have fostered environments where students can access meaningful and joyful learning experiences, and have taken bold action toward creating a more innovative and equitable education system.


This is a new award for 2025.

Winners

  • Bring innovation in curriculum to their educational community.
  • Focus on cultivating a collaborative and empowering environment for educators and students.
  • Use and champion others’ use of the ISTE+ASCD Transformational Learning Principles to elevate meaningful learning, teaching and leading.
  • Winners will be selected and announced at our 2026 leadership event.

Award Package

  • Engraved plaque acknowledging the recipient’s outstanding achievement.
  • A one-year premium individual ISTE or ASCD membership ($295 value).
  • Recognition at our 2026 leadership event and on the ISTE+ASCD website.
  • $500 travel stipend to attend our 2026 leadership event.
  • Complimentary registration for our 2026 leadership event.
  • Opportunity to be featured in a panel or session at our 2026 leadership event.
  • Opportunities to contribute such as presenting a webinar, participating in a podcast, or highlighted in an article.

ISTE+ASCD Making It Happen Award

About

The Making It Happen award honors visionary educators and leaders who cultivate connected, empowered learners. Since its inception in 1995, more than 800 educators from around the world have received this award from ISTE+ASCD or its global affiliates. ISTE+ASCD frequently presents Making It Happen awards to educators and leaders who have helped move ISTE+ASCD initiatives forward.


View Past Award Winners

Winners

  • Spread and demonstrate ISTE+ASCD’s mission to empower educators to reimagine and redesign learning through impactful pedagogy and meaningful technology use in their work.
  • Leverage ISTE+ASCD Transformational Learning Principles and/or the ISTE Standards and programs to create change in learning and teaching.
  • Champion progressive planning in the short term, and persevere over time to support large-scale change.

Award Package

  • Making IT Happen jacket.
  • One-year premium individual ISTE or ASCD membership ($295 value).
  • Complimentary registration for the co-located ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual Conference 25 ($895 value).
  • Recognition at ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual 25, and on the ISTE+ASCD website.