Excellence in Education Awards

Celebrating Excellence

Celebrating the Educators Shaping Our Future

Save the Date: November 6, 2026

Time: 5:00–7:00 PM

Location: Biemesderfer Hall, Millersville University

Join Us for an Evening of Celebration, Recognition, and Connection as we:

HONOR educators whose dedication, creativity, and leadership are shaping the future of learning.
CELEBRATE innovative teaching, mentorship, and community partnerships that expand opportunities for students.
STRENGTHEN our educational community by connecting those committed to preparing the next generation for success.

Celebrate with Us

The Excellence in Education Experience

This event is an opportunity to celebrate the people making a lasting difference in our region.

Celebrate alongside this year’s honorees and connect with educators and community leaders from across our region.

Registration includes:

Reception with heavy appetizers
Open bar
Networking opportunities
Keynote presentation
Awards ceremony

Registration Deadline: October 26, 2026

Nominate an Educator

Do you know an educator making an extraordinary impact?

Help us recognize the teachers, mentors, and community partners who inspire students and strengthen education throughout our region by submitting a nomination. Because behind every successful student is an educator who made a difference.

Nomination Deadline: October 5, 2026

Join us as we celebrate the educators, mentors, and future teachers whose passion, innovation, and leadership are shaping the next generation.

Award Categories

Every day, educators across our region inspire curiosity, spark innovation, and prepare the next generation of leaders, problem-solvers, and lifelong learners.

The Excellence in Education Awards recognize excellence across a variety of educational roles and experiences.

Outstanding Early Childhood Educator Award

Recognizes an early childhood educator who creates engaging, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning in young children. This educator demonstrates excellence in student-centered instruction, hands-on exploration, and relationship-building while laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.

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Exemplary Mentor Teacher Award

Recognizes a cooperating teacher who has gone above and beyond in mentoring pre-service teachers, modeling best practices, and supporting the next generation of educators in developing innovative, student-centered, and project-based learning skills.

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Outstanding Pre-Service Teacher

Recognizes a pre-service teacher who exemplifies the skills and dispositions of a project-based learning educator. Through their field experiences, they demonstrate creativity, engagement, and student-centered practices, showing strong potential to innovate and inspire in their future classroom.

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Innovative Instruction Award

For a K–12 teacher who consistently uses creative, research-based strategies (including technology, interdisciplinary work, or hands-on approaches) to engage students.

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Excellence in Project-Based Learning Award

Recognizes a teacher who designs and implements high-quality project-based learning experiences that foster critical thinking, collaboration, and authentic problem-solving.

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Community Connector Award

For a teacher who builds strong partnerships between the classroom and community (local businesses, nonprofits, or civic engagement projects) to enrich student learning.

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Transformational School Leadership Award

Recognizes a school administrator who champions innovative teaching and learning by fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and student-centered instruction. This leader actively supports educators in implementing project-based learning, community partnerships, and forward-thinking practices that positively impact students, staff, and the broader school community.

Nominate Now

Past Honorees

The Excellence in Education Awards celebrate educators and future teachers whose passion, innovation, and leadership are shaping classrooms and strengthening communities across our region. We are proud to recognize these outstanding individuals for their commitment to educational excellence.