- link Copy URL - [ Share on X ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Discovery Education Honors Educators Turning Potential Into Progress With 2026 Discovery Education Awards Winners https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1312971?absolute=1&via=3blnews "Share on X") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1312971?absolute=1 "Share on Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1312971?absolute=1 "Share on Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Discovery Education Honors Educators Turning Potential Into Progress With 2026 Discovery Education Awards Winners&body=ESG News from Discovery Education https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1312971?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Awards & Rankings](/categories/awards-rankings) # Discovery Education Honors Educators Turning Potential Into Progress With 2026 Discovery Education Awards Winners ##### Third annual awards honor districts, schools, and educators driving meaningful student engagement and academic growth through innovative instruction. May 4, 2026 8:00 AM ET CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 4, 2026 /3BL/ - Discovery Education today announced the recipients of its third annual [Discovery Education Awards](https://www.discoveryeducation.com/de-awards/?utm_source=de_marketing&utm_medium=press_release&utm_campaign=2026_q2_de_awards), recognizing districts, schools, and educators who are redefining what impactful teaching and learning look like in today’s classrooms. As a trusted partner supporting teaching and learning in nearly half of U.S. K-12 schools, Discovery Education established these awards to elevate education leaders addressing education challenges through innovative, student-centered instruction. Award recipients were selected through a competitive national nomination and application process that evaluates evidence of academic growth and the effective use of instructional solutions to meet the evolving needs of students. At a time when educators are being asked to improve outcomes while engaging learners despite resource constraints and student attention gaps, the 2026 honorees demonstrate how thoughtful design and real-world relevance translate into measurable impact. Together, this year’s winners span eight states and share a commitment to creating learning experiences that are results-focused and relevant. The 2026 Discovery Education Awards recipients are: **Districts of the Year** - Barbers Hill Independent School District – Texas - Waterford School District – Michigan - Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School – Pennsylvania **Schools of the Year** - Alexander D. Henderson University School, FAU Lab Schools – Florida - Alternative Paths Training School – Virginia - Armwood High School, Hillsborough County Public Schools – Florida - Checotah Intermediate School, Checotah School District – Oklahoma - Florida Atlantic University High School, FAU Lab Schools – Florida - Phillis Wheatley Elementary School, Woodbridge School District – Delaware **Educators of the Year** - Dr. Amber Dumbuya, School for Arts Infused Learning – Georgia - Milton Fernandez, Miami-Dade County Public Schools – Florida - Mayank Handa, Arizona Autism Charter Schools – Arizona - Melissa Myer, Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 – Pennsylvania - Holly Thomas, Burke County Public Schools – North Carolina - Samantha Westerlind, Cherokee County School District – Georgia “The recipients of the 2026 Discovery Education Awards represent what’s possible when K-12 learning is grounded in intention and impact,” said Brian Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Education. “Across districts and classrooms nationwide, this year’s honorees demonstrate that when instruction is relevant, rigorous, and connected to the real world, engagement deepens and academic growth follows. We established these awards to recognize that commitment, and we applaud how this cohort of leaders and educators turns student potential into progress every day.” Learn more about the 2026 Discovery Education Awards recipients at [www.discoveryeducation.com/de-awards](https://www.discoveryeducation.com/de-awards/). \### **About Discovery Education** Discovery Education is a global education technology leader whose innovative solutions empower educators and advance student learning. Discovery Education’s solutions have served more than 100 million students globally, supporting effective teaching and learning in 45% of U.S. K-12 schools and in 100+ countries and territories. The company’s portfolio includes award-winning core and supplemental curriculum, high-quality standards-aligned content, and AI-enabled teaching and learning tools. Solutions span math, science, literacy, social studies, and career-connected learning, including instructionally-aligned content developed through one-of-a-kind partnerships with industry leaders to bring real-world relevance into every lesson. Learn more at [www.DiscoveryEducation.com](https://www.discoveryeducation.com/). **Contacts** Ali Koper Discovery Education [![Discovery Education](/sites/default/files/Clients/Brand_Tool-Kit_v11.01.19_Logos_Discovery_Education_DiscoveryEducation_LOGO_pos_4c_2.png)](/profiles/discovery-education) ### More from Discovery Education ###### [Discovery Education Highlights Commitment to Financial Literacy Month With Free, Real‑World Learning Resources](/news/discovery-education-highlights-commitment-financial-literacy-month-free-real-world-learning) Apr 16, 2026 1:40 PM ET ###### [Discovery Education Releases Free Resources To Help Educators Bring 250 Years of U.S. History Into Classrooms](/news/discovery-education-releases-free-resources-help-educators-bring-250-years-us-history) Apr 8, 2026 9:00 AM ET ###### [Discovery Education Appoints First-Ever Chief Information Security Officer, Kara Schlageter](/news/discovery-education-appoints-first-ever-chief-information-security-officer-kara-schlageter) Mar 3, 2026 9:05 AM ET ###### [Submissions Open for 3M’s Nationwide Middle School Science Competition](/news/submissions-open-3ms-nationwide-middle-school-science-competition) Jan 21, 2026 9:15 AM ET ###### [Free Professional Development From IBM SkillsBuild and Discovery Education Equips High School Educators With AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Literacy Skills](/news/free-professional-development-ibm-skillsbuild-and-discovery-education-equips-high-school) Jan 21, 2026 8:30 AM ET ###### [Discovery Education Expands Inquiry-Based Learning With New Science Techbook, First-of-Its-Kind Social Studies Essentials](/news/discovery-education-expands-inquiry-based-learning-new-science-techbook-first-its-kind-social) Jan 8, 2026 8:30 AM ET ###### [Dell Technologies and Discovery Education Launch New Initiative To Prepare Students for In-Demand IT Careers](/news/dell-technologies-and-discovery-education-launch-new-initiative-prepare-students-demand-it) Dec 2, 2025 9:05 AM ET ###### [DreamBox Math for Texas Earns IMRA Approval, Bringing Adaptive TEKS-Aligned Learning to Classrooms Statewide](/news/dreambox-math-texas-earns-imra-approval-bringing-adaptive-teks-aligned-learning-classrooms) Nov 24, 2025 9:30 AM ET