AACTE Honors Outstanding Educators and Innovators with 2026 National Awards

(Jan. 22, 2026, Washington, D.C.) — AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education) is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of its annual awards recognizing innovative research, exemplary practice, and outstanding leadership in educator preparation. Selected through a rigorous review process conducted by AACTE’s Programmatic Advisory Committees, this year’s honorees reflect the bold, forward-thinking contributions that strengthen the profession and advance high-quality educator preparation nationwide.

“The 2026 AACTE Awards Program honorees represent the very best of educator preparation — leaders whose dedication and innovation are driving real change,” said Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, Ph.D., AACTE president and CEO. “Their work in research, practice, and advocacy reinforces our collective responsibility to build a diverse, well-prepared educator workforce that will positively impact generations of learners.”

The honorees listed below will be formally recognized during AACTE 2026 from Feb. 20-22, 2026, in New Orleans.

Martin Haberman Outstanding Journal of Teacher Education (JTE) Article Award:

“Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum in Generative AI: A Reflective Technology Audit for Teacher Educators,” authored by Melissa Warr, Ph.D., of New Mexico State University, and Marie K. Heath, Ed.D., of Loyola University Maryland — Learn more.

James D. Anderson Outstanding Dissertation Award Winner:

Chanh Bao Lam, Ph.D., data analyst in Teacher Education and Accreditation at the College of Education at Kansas State University — Learn more.

Gloria J. Ladson-Billings Outstanding Book Award Winner:

Author Brandi Nicole Hinnant-Crawford, Ph.D., of Clemson University, “Improvement Science in Education: A Primer, Second Edition” — Learn more.

Edward C. Pomeroy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education Winner:

Jacob Easley II, Ph.D., PMP, assistant dean of the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University — Learn more.

Best Practice Award in Support of Global and International Perspectives Winner:

The University of Arizona College of Education, Worlds of Words (WOW) Center of Global Literacies and Literatures — Learn more.

Increasing Educator Diversity: Promising Practice Award Winner:

Western Michigan University College of Education and Human Development, Urban Teacher Residency Program — Learn more.

Best Practice Award for the Innovative Use of Technology Winner:

Lipscomb University College of Education, MORAL Dilemma Video Library — Learn more.

Best Practice Award in Support of Multicultural Education and Diversity Winner:

University of New Mexico College of Education & Human Sciences, Promoting Our Leadership, Learning, and Empowering Our Nations (POLLEN)  — Learn more.

Outstanding Holmes Program Award

Purdue University College of Education — Learn more.

David G. Imig Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teacher Education Winner:

David Rock, Ed.D., dean of the School of Education at the University of Mississippi — Learn more.

Margaret B. Lindsey Award for Distinguished Research in Teacher Education Winner:

Cheryl Matias, Ph.D., full professor in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego — Learn more.

Learn more about AACTE and AACTE 2026 in February by visiting aacte.org.

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About AACTE

Established in 1948, AACTE is the leading voice in educator preparation. AACTE’s member institutions and programs prepare the greatest number of professional educators in the United States and its territories, including teachers, counselors, administrators, and college faculty. These professional educators are prepared for careers in PK-12 classrooms, colleges and universities, state and governmental agencies, policy institutes, and non-profit organizations. Learn more at aacte.org.