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.

Award Details

  • 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.
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  • An engraved plaque acknowledging the recipient’s outstanding achievement.
  • A one-year individual ISTE+ASCD Print Enhanced membership ($129 value).
  • Complimentary registration to ISTELive 26 + ASCD Annual Conference 26 virtual conferences ($295 value).
  • Recognition at the co-located ISTELive 26 + ASCD Annual 26 conferences, and on the ISTE+ASCD website.
  • Opportunities to contribute such as presenting a webinar, participating in a podcast, or highlighted in an article.
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Recent Recipients

McKenna Akane

McKenna Akane leads K–8 STEM at Alberton School in Montana.

Hanan Attiyah

Hanan Attiyah is an educational leader committed to advancing technology integration, STEM innovation, and equitable learning opportunities for elementary students.

Mohd Al Khalifa Bin Mohd Affnan

Khalifa Affnan teaches English at Keningau Vocational College in Malaysia.

Lisa Blank

Lisa Blank leads STEM initiatives in Watertown, NY, and advocates for national equity in education.

Jeffrey Bradbury

Jeff Bradbury is a Digital Learning Teacher and creator of TeacherCast.

Jeffrey Chernosky, Ed.D.

Dr. Chernosky coordinates graduate programs in educational leadership and instructional tech.

Rebecca Colangelo

Rebecca Colangelo leads the Learning Lab at South Fayette Elementary, inspiring students through hands-on STEAM experiences.

Constance DeMore Savine

Dr. Constance DeMore Savine has 29 years in education and currently supports teachers and designs professional learning in Trinity Area School District.

Sean Gaillard

Sean Gaillard is a principal, author, and professor who champions creativity and student-centered learning.

David Garringer

David Garringer leads Chatsworth Park Urban Planning Magnet in LA, with 24+ years of experience.

Maegan Gayle

Maegan Gayle is in her 12th year of teaching for Mobile County Public Schools, where she is the STEM Lab teacher at Eichold-Mertz Magnet School of Math, Science, and Technology.

Evo Hannan

Evo Hannan is a global design educator and founder of Innovation X.

Jeff Kilner

Jeffrey Kilner, M.Ed., supports tech integration for Delaware’s Indian River Schools.

Kyung Kim, Ph.D.

Kyung Kim, Ph.D., is an associate professor at the Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), Republic of Korea.

Taniya Mishra, Ph.D.

Dr. Taniya Mishra is the founder and CEO of SureStart, a NYC-based AI education startup that offers mentoring-focused AI learning programs for middle-school, high-school and undergraduate students.

Zahra Razi

Zahra Razi is a leader in the fields of educational technology and K–12 computer science education, dedicated to empowering teachers and students to explore and apply the transformative potential of technology.

Lauren Richardson

Lauren Richardson is the Experienceships Coordinator at Indian Hill Exempted Village School District, focusing on strategically employing innovative, research-backed approaches to empower educators and cultivate thriving learning environments.

Kirsten Salonga

Kirsten Salonga teaches Environmental Science and chairs the science department at Justice High.

Samantha Shane

Samantha Shane is an innovative career and technical education (CTE) instructor teaching high school students who want to pursue a career in education.

Alana Winnick

Alana Winnick is a visionary leader who is actively shaping the future of education.

Past Winners

Delrose Adkinson

Assistant principal and former instructional technology coach in Newport News, Virginia.

Sean M. Arnold

Director of school pathways for NYC Public Schools.

Nkiru Azza

Toronto-based elementary teacher and digital lead learner.

Ronda Blevins, Ed.D.

Assistant professor and program director at Carson-Newman University.

Tommy Clay, Ed.S.

Digital learning specialist in Atlanta Public Schools.

Jeff Glade

Digital learning consultant at Heartland AEA.

Stacy Hawthorne, Ed.D.

Chief academic officer at Learn21.

John Heffernan

Professional development coordinator for Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim ETB in Ireland.

Sirhajwan Idek, Ph.D.

Head of research and innovation at Keningau Vocational College in Malaysia.

Cammie Kannekens

District instructional lead in rural Alberta.

Olga Kazarina

Edtech specialist and ISTE Community Leader.

Ying-Chen Lin

Seventh grade science teacher in South Carolina.

Riya Nathrani, Ed.D.

Instructional technology coach in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Jackie Patanio

Leads edtech planning and partnerships in NYC Public Schools.

Shane Saeed, Ed.D.

ELA curriculum coordinator in Colorado.

Allen Schagene

Director of innovative learning at The Shlenker School and STEM consultant at Rice University.

John Shoemaker

Educational strategist and tech specialist in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Debbie Tannenbaum

She is a school-based technology specialist in Virginia.

Perla Beatriz Zamora González

Program assistant and global consultant at Narrative 4.

Nicole M. Zumpano

ISTE Certified Educator and former teacher and coach.