Extraordinary Educators: Class of 2026

Extraordinary Educator Teacher Class of 2026

Trent Williams, Grade 3 Teacher

Caldwell Elementary School, AL

Describe your school culture in three words.
Empowering, Engaging, Inclusive

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
“Data tells the story; it’s my job to read it and respond.” I use i-Ready and classroom assessments to identify trends, group students strategically, and adjust instruction in real time so every learner keeps moving forward.

 

Yolanda Smith, Teacher

Arkansas Middle School, AR

Describe your school culture in three words.
Data-Driven Expectations

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
"Data tells a story and we rewrite the narrative." We are a data-driven classroom and i-Ready directs our pathway to growth.

 

Jen Wilson, Math TOSA and Intervention

Templeton Elementary/Vineyard Elementary, CA

Describe your school culture in three words.
Collaborative, Empowering, Engaging

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
Data drives direction! i-Ready and assessment data guide every decision to meet every student’s need.

 

Vanessa Mendez, Teacher and Math Department Chair

Lindsey Academy, CA

Describe your school culture in three words.
Rigorous, Data Driven, Engaging

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
Data-driven instruction is essential in teaching and i-Ready is an important piece in planning, as it gives insight for students for each unit through its data for each relevant domain. It allows for me to plan for specific student groupings, scaffolds, and different strategies or activities I might use for lessons.

 

William Ortoleva, Grade 5 Math and Science Teacher

May V. Carrigan, CT

Describe your school culture in three words.
Consistent, Driven, Conceptual

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
Data informs, and my teaching transforms! I use the data I receive from ALL i-Ready resources to plan my instruction for individuals and groups.

 

Austin Roberts, Grade 3 Teacher and Grade Chair

Altha Public School, FL

Describe your school culture in three words.
Loving, Respectful, Supportive

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
Every decision I make within my classroom is made using data-driven decision making. I use i-Ready data to sort students into learning groups, provide each student with a proper reading buddy, to remediate standards the Diagnostic shows are unsatisfactory, and provide enrichment for standards that have been met on the i-Ready Inform (formerly i-Ready Diagnostic).

 

Felix Saji, Grade 4 Teacher

John V. Leigh School, IL

Describe your school culture in three words.
Student Centered, Structured, Engaging

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
When I think of data-driven instruction, I think of it as "A tool to identify student needs, fill gaps, and drive your instruction." i-Ready reports have been very important in my decision-making process when it comes to student groupings for small group/WIN groups and to help me understand what students need next.

 

Joanna Goldberg, Teacher

Sherlock Elementary, IL

Describe your school culture in three words.
Joyful, Empowering, Inclusive

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
"Every data point is a student’s story. Listen closely and respond intentionally." This motto guides my approach to data-driven instruction. I use i-Ready data from the Diagnostic and end-of-unit assessments, along with other sources, to set meaningful goals with students and celebrate their growth.

 

Andrea Dix, Teacher

Stockton Grade School, KS

Describe your school culture in three words.
Safe, Challenging, Empowering

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
My motto for data-driven instruction is to look for and celebrate personal growth at every level, big or small—growth is growth. I use i-Ready data, classroom data, and state assessment data to adjust and improve my teaching and to provide students with the targeted small group support they need to keep progressing.

 

Alicia Alfonso, Grade 4 Math and Science Teacher

Arabi Elementary School, LA

Describe your school culture in three words.
Collaborative, Accountable, Supportive

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
I use i-Ready data to identify strengths and gaps, then adjust small groups, reteach concepts, and provide targeted support to help every student grow.

 

Cassidy Boggs, Teacher

East Ouachita Middle School, LA

Describe your school culture in three words.
Inviting, Driven, Student Led

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
Real time, real application! If we aren’t using data collection with intent, it is useless. When collecting data on exit tickets or assessing problems within the lesson, what you do with it next is how you see real growth!

 

Amy Manning, Grade 6 Math Teacher

Ocean Springs Upper Elementary, MS

Describe your school culture in three words.
Safe, Challenging, Empowering

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
My motto for data-driven instruction is “Every data point tells a story worth responding to.” I use i-Ready and other assessment data to identify each student’s unique strengths and needs, design targeted small group lessons, and empower students to take ownership of their growth through regular data chats and goal setting.

 

Donnetta Chapman Booker, 1st Grade Teacher

Lake Elementary, MS

Describe your school culture in three words.
Supportive, Inclusive, Nurturing

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
Remember that data is always changing and should guide, not define, instruction. I use i-Ready Inform (formerly i-Ready Diagnostic) results, comprehension checks, and i-Ready Standards Mastery data to monitor growth, and I review historical results to ensure students are putting forth their best effort.

 

Earl Bell, Grade 8 English Language Arts Teacher

Oxford Middle School, MS

Describe your school culture in three words.
Joyful, Inclusive, Data Driven

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
“Data are headlights, not a rearview mirror.” I use i-Ready Inform (formerly i-Ready Diagnostic) and weekly lesson data to see where each student is and immediately adjust small groups, goals, and scaffolds, especially for Tier 2/Tier 3 intervention.

 

D'Rae Modrall, Teacher

Somerset Academy Losee, NV

Describe your school culture in three words.
Ambitious, Nurturing, Empowering

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
My motto is “Data drives decisions,” and I use i-Ready reports like the i-Ready Inform (formerly i-Ready Diagnostic), Grade-Level Planning (Scaffolding), and i-Ready Standards Mastery to guide instruction so every student gets what they need to grow. These reports help me target small groups, monitor progress, and ensure equitable access to grade-level learning.

 

Trisha Daningburg, Academic Interventionist

Campbell-Savona Jr/Sr High School, NY

Describe your school culture in three words.
Dynamic, Supportive, Flexible

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
My motto on data-driven instruction is that if I'm going to ask students to put the work in, it's my job to examine the results and use that to inform instruction to ensure they are getting the most out of their education. I coordinate the Grades 7 and 8 meetings to look at i-Ready data after each Diagnostic and involve the social studies, special education, and science teacher in the discussion so we are getting a better picture of our struggling students and what we can do across content areas to support them.

 

Megan Tennant, Grade 4 Math, Grade 5 Math and Science, Grades K–8 Technology Teacher

Holy Family, NY

Describe your school culture in three words.
Organized, Collaborative, Safe

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
I rely on the i-Ready Inform (formerly i-Ready Diagnostic) as my compass, helping me see exactly where each student is facing difficulty. This allows me to intentionally adjust my teaching—differentiating instruction—so I can personally guide them across those specific learning gaps.

 

Brantley Lombr, Grade 2 Teacher

Describe your school culture in three words.
Goal Oriented, Connected, Developmentally Rigorous

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
Every student starts in a different place, and data helps me meet them there. Using i-Ready results, I purposely group students by their domain areas to guide my instruction so growth is attainable for everyone.

 

Melinda Pounder, Teacher

Jennie Moore Elementary, SC

Describe your school culture in three words.
Supportive, Data Driven, Empowering

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
Data is just a piece of the puzzle–it is a valuable piece. However, when you truly know your students and can meet them where they are in the learning process, you have unlocked the key to their success.

 

Molly Foster, Grade 3 Teacher

Franklin Elementary School, TN

Describe your school culture in three words.
Rigorous, Engaging, Joyful

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
My motto for data-driven instruction is to use data to inform instruction and anticipate needs, not to label students. I use Magnetic Foundations data from sessions 1–5 to guide small group work with the Teacher Toolbox scaffolding materials, i-Ready Standards Mastery assessments, and grouping tools to plan targeted Tier 1 supports in both reading and math, and I closely monitor i-Ready lessons in real time—intervening immediately when students are flagged or show signs of struggle.

 

Tabitha Bates, Grade 5 Math Teacher

Dover Elementary, TN

Describe your school culture in three words.
Happy, Safe, Growth Focused

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
I use i-Ready to guide instruction. It helps me identify where students need support and even enrichment. I also help them set meaningful goals for their own growth.

 

Arissa Hayden, Multi-Classroom Leader

H.M. Carroll Elementary, TX

Describe your school culture in three words.
Engaging, Supportive, and Growth Minded

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
The phrase "Data tells the story, and teaching writes the next chapter" is my motto for data-driven education. I make sure every student makes progress toward mastery by identifying learning gaps, customizing instruction, and using i-Ready and assessment data.

 

Francisco Lara, Grade 2 Teacher and Pathfinder

Freedom Elementary School, TX

Describe your school culture in three words.
Resilient, Growth Oriented, Data Driven

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
"Data is the flashlight, not the hammer." I use i-Ready and other formative data to illuminate student strengths and areas for growth, allowing me to adjust my instruction and small group lessons to meet specific learning needs.

 

Marcus Spiess, Middle School Reading Intervention Teacher, Language Arts Subject Matter Specialist

Washington Middle School, WA

Describe your school culture in three words.
Fun, Supportive, Engaging

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
“Teach with evidence-based insight, not assumption.” With this in mind, I utilize schoolwide i-Ready Inform (formerly i-Ready Diagnostic) data, the Instructional Groupings reports, and the
Phonics for Reading Placement Test/curriculum to plan and deliver evidence-based instruction to Instructional Groupings based on similar need.

 

Sara Lilly, Grade 1 Teacher

Describe your school culture in three words.
Supportive, Structured, Respectful

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
Data-driven instruction is the backbone of my classroom. I use i-Ready Inform (formerly i-Ready Diagnostic) and other formal assessments to form small groups and provide targeted interventions that meet each student’s individual needs.

 

Rebecca Meadows, Teacher

Hollywood Elementary, WV

Describe your school culture in three words.
Respectful, Supportive, Engaging

Describe your motto on data-driven instruction, and consider how you use i-Ready or other data.
My motto for data-driven instruction is to show me as a teacher where to improve and that all students are capable of reaching top learning, but the road will look different for each student. I use i-Ready data and other data to identify where my students need to grow and where they are stronger and take that information to adjust my teaching method, small groups, manipulatives, and how to intervene.

 

 

Leadership Collaborative Class of 2026

Nicki Bryant, Principal, Childersburg Elementary School, AL

Describe your school culture in three words.
Vibrant, Perseverant, Risk Takers

 

Kelia Browder, Principal, Union Springs Elementary School, AL

Describe your school culture in three words.
Thriving, Inclusive, Supportive

 

Thelma Metcalf-Forte, Head Principal, Arkansas Middle School, AR

Describe your school culture in three words.
Improving, Electric, Inclusive

 

Candace Anselmi, Principal, H.L. Lubker Elementary School, AR

Describe your school culture in three words.
Positive, Intentional, Student Centered

 

Caroline Apgar, Assistant Principal, Augusta Lewis Troup School, CT

Describe your school culture in three words.
Transforming, Collaborative, Growth Mindset

 

Dillon Williams, Principal, South Hialeah Elementary School, FL

Describe your school culture in three words.
Empowering, United, Exceptional

At South Hialeah Elementary, our school culture is rooted in empowerment—students feel inspired to learn, teachers are motivated to teach, and families are proud to be part of our community. We operate as one united team with a shared commitment to excellence in everything we do.

 

Kelly Forehand, Principal, University Academy, FL

Describe your school culture in three words.
Engaging, Innovative, Collaborative

 

Nicole Neunie, Principal, Walker Elementary School, FL

Describe your school culture in three words.
Empowering—because we give both students and teachers the tools, voice, and ownership to grow. Purposeful—because everything we do, from instruction to incentives, is aligned with a clear goal and meaningful impact. Joyful—because we believe learning should be celebrated, and we work hard to make success feel exciting, shared, and motivating for everyone in the building.

 

Eric Alston, Principal, Unity Elementary School, GA

Describe your school culture in three words.
Above the Line

 

Lisa Harris, Principal, North Elementary School, IL

Describe your school culture in three words.
Growth Mindset, Data Driven, Empowering

 

John Brandean Kenealy, Principal, Nicholasville Elementary School, KY

Describe your school culture in three words.
Relentless, Loving, High Expectations

 

Derick Marr, Principal, Rich Pond Elementary School, KY

Describe your school culture in three words.
Positive, Engaging, Collaborative

 

LaTanya Dunbar, Assistant Principal, Ferriday Junior High School, LA

Describe your school culture in three words.
Together, We Can

 

Latoya Shamai Wright, Assistant Principal, Paw Creek Elementary School, NC

Describe your school culture in three words.
Engaging, Collaborative, Innovative

 

Andrea M. Thomas, Principal, Denzel Washington School of the Arts, NY

Describe your school culture in three words.
High Expectations, Artistic Excellence, Academic Rigor

 

Kaitlyn Reilley, Principal, Cross Hill Academy, NY

Describe your school culture in three words.
Innovative, Collaborative, Student Centered

 

Matt Edwards, Principal, Gwyn-Nor Elementary School, PA

Describe your school culture in three words.
Family, Supportive, Hard-Working

 

Blanca Ibarra, Assistant Principal (Special Populations Administrator), Senator Judith Zaffirini Elementary School, TX

Describe your school culture in three words.
Inclusive, Collaborative, Empowering

 

Erika Saldana, Principal, Kennedy-Zapata Elementary School, TX

Describe your school culture in three words.
Supportive, Inclusive, Driven

Those three words capture the heart of our school community where every student feels uplifted, every voice matters, and there's a shared commitment to continuous growth and high expectations.

 

Lauren Werthammer, Principal, Martha Elementary School, WV

Describe your school culture in three words.
Inspiring, Focused, Warm