Project Lead The Way Announces 2026-27 National Award Recipients Celebrating Excellence in Education

Seven exceptional educators and leaders recognized for inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers through transformative STEM and career-connected learning

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In classrooms across the nation, extraordinary educators are turning curiosity into lifelong passion and helping equip students to tackle tomorrow's greatest challenges. Today, Project Lead The Way (PLTW) proudly honors seven of these transformative leaders as the recipients of the 2026-27 National PLTW Awards. These annual honors celebrate educators and administrators whose dedication, innovation and leadership bring hands-on, real-world learning to life.

PLTW is a PreK-12 national leader in career-connected learning, helping schools and districts create relevant career-technical education (CTE) and STEM programs that engage all students in real-world problem-solving and prepare them for what's next. PLTW's evidence-based approach empowers students to discover and explore their interests, imagine and design solutions to complex challenges, and become independent, confident problem solvers.

Each year, the PLTW National Awards recognize exceptional educators and school leaders who make a meaningful impact on students through PLTW. Honorees are selected for their commitment to expanding access to PLTW and STEM learning opportunities, creating transformative learning experiences, and advancing excellence in education within their communities and beyond.

The 2026-27 National PLTW Teacher and Administrator of the Year Award Winners include the following:

• Robert and Patricia Kern PLTW Teacher of the Year: Cheryl Tamayo – Arlington High School
• PLTW Launch Teacher of the Year: Tameko Wilson – Liberty STEAM Charter School
• PLTW Gateway Teacher of the Year: Nancy Junkins – Whitesburg Middle School
• PLTW Engineering Teacher of the Year: Jessica Hershey – Lyman High School
• PLTW Computer Science Teacher of the Year: Shawn Volk – Little Chute Career Pathways Academy
• PLTW Biomedical Science Teacher of the Year: Candace Barton – Bozeman High School
• PLTW Administrator of the Year: Jennifer Dowd – Hadley Elementary School

"Great teaching turns curiosity into confidence and competence," said Dr. David Dimmett, President and CEO of Project Lead The Way. "In PLTW classrooms, our educators don't just deliver curriculum, they ask students to build working solutions, test hard ideas, and learn from failure. We are proud to recognize their work and the standard they set every day."

To learn more about the PLTW National Awards and this year's honorees, visit Experience PLTW | PLTW National Awards 2026-27.  

About Project Lead The Way
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nationwide nonprofit offering a complete PreK–12 STEM and CTE ecosystem that connects classroom curriculum to real-world application through immersive experiences, purposeful industry partnerships, grant-supported access, and educator training—helping schools develop and demonstrate a career advantage through meaningful, applied learning that supports engagement, confidence, and future-ready skill development.

For nearly 30 years, PLTW has given students opportunities to solve problems, create, collaborate, and apply what they learn in meaningful ways, from standards-aligned, project-based early exploration to advanced coursework and work-based learning.

Discover why more than 12,200 schools, 116,000 trained educators, and millions of students across all 50 states choose PLTW to build the skills they need for careers, college, and life. Learn more at PLTW.org.

Media Contact
Stephanie Grau
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SOURCE Project Lead The Way