Inspiring Teachers: The Honored Podcast

Shavonya Coleman, a 3rd-grade teacher at Positive Tomorrows in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is the recipient of our June 2026 Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this award by the parent of her student, Serenity. Joining Shavonya in this episode are Serenity and Serenity’s mom, Krystle.  Positive Tomorrows is a school serving families experiencing homelessness. They offer kids stabi...

Jill Dwyer, an Early Childhood Development CTE teacher at North Valley High School in Grants Pass, Oregon, is the recipient of our May 2026 Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this award by her student, Ava. Joining Jill in this episode are Ava and Ava's mom, Melissa.   You'll hear about: - Jill Dwyer's journey to becoming a teacher. - The impact Jill has had on Ava and her fami...

To celebrate Autism Acceptance Month, we are honored to share the story of an incredible educator who has made an impact on the life of a student with autism.  Trisha Lopez, an elementary school Special Education teacher at Columbia Elementary School in Madison, Alabama, is the recipient of our April 2026 Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this award by the parent of her studen...

Abby Mayer Eelsen, the Chief Operating Officer of The Commit Partnership , joins us for an organizational spotlight podcast episode. Abby combines her experiences as an educator, fundraiser, advocate, and parent of a Dallas ISD student to connect the philanthropic community with opportunities to ensure all students receive an excellent, equitable education.   You'll hear about: - The Commit Partne...

This month, we are celebrating National Agriculture Week to recognize and celebrate the contribution of agriculture in our everyday lives. In recognition of this celebration, we are honored to share the story of our March Honoree, Kera Reterstoff.  Kera Reterstoff, a high school Agriscience teacher and FFA Advisor at Ravenna High School in Ravenna, Michigan, is the recipient of our March 2026 Hono...

In recognition of Black History Month, we have partnered with Summer House Institute to honor an incredible Black male educator. Summer House Institute is an organization that exists to grow and develop young men of color who will soon finish college and enter the workforce through an affinity-based learning model.  Julian Coleman, a K-8 music teacher at Global Leadership Academy West in Philadelp...

Devon Houghton, a 4th-grade teacher at Beatrice H Wood Elementary School in Plainville, MA is the recipient of our January 2026 Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this award by the parents of her student, Sammy. Joining Mrs. Houghton in this episode are Sammy and Sammy's mom, Erin.   You'll hear about: - Mrs. Houghton's journey to becoming a teacher. - The impact Mrs. Houghton...

Lynn Darby, high school History teacher and Founder of the Teacher's Lounge , joins us for a spotlight podcast episode. Lynn Darby was born and raised in South Central Pennsylvania. Coming from a small but tight-knit family, Lynn had the opportunity to watch both his mom and uncle serve as educators from a young age. This, along with a strong intrinsic desire to make a positive impact in the world...

Luis Durán, a 6th-8th-grade Special Education cluster class teacher at Talcott Fine Arts & Museum Academy in Chicago, Illinois is the recipient of our December 2025 Honored National Teaching Award. He was nominated for this award by his student, Kenny, and Kenny’s mother, Kimberlee. Joining Luis in this episode are Kenny and Kimbelee.   You'll hear about: - Luis Durán's journey to becoming a t...

Kareem Farah, CEO and Co-Founder of the Modern Classrooms Project , joins us for an organizational spotlight podcast episode. Kareem began his career as a high school math teacher in Hawaii and Washington, DC. Instead of using a traditional lecture model, Kareem taught mathematics through a blended model where students accessed content through his self-made videos. In 2018, he received the DC Publ...

Hui Couch, a 9th-grade Algebra teacher at Newcomer Academy in Louisville, Kentucky, is the recipient of our November 2025 Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this award by the Modern Classrooms Project, a nonprofit organization that equips teachers to redesign their classrooms with blended, self-paced, mastery-based practices that personalize learning and strengthen student enga...

Omar Lisojo, a high school English teacher at Dover High School in Dover, New Jersey, is the recipient of our October Honored National Teaching Award. He was nominated for this award by multiple students. Joining Mr. Lisojo in this episode are his students Jacob, Nicole, and Osvaldo.   You'll hear about: - Mr. Lisojo's journey to becoming a teacher. - The impact Mr. Lisojo has had on his students...

Aimee Cunningham, President and CEO of The Boone Family Foundation, joins us for an organizational spotlight podcast episode. Aimee is a highly experienced principal in the progressive movement with significant fundraising, strategic planning, and management expertise. Over the last 20 years, Aimee has led work on the politics and policies that impact women and families, particularly around access...

Award-winning actress, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Jennifer Garner joins us for an episode to celebrate receiving our first-ever annual Honored Advocate for Teachers Award! Garner is known for her versatility in a wide range of starring-roles in Alias, Dallas Buyers Club, Love Simon, Juno, and more. Most recently, Garner executive produced and starred in the hit Apple TV+ limited series The L...

Rachel Bowen, a middle school Math teacher and volleyball, basketball, and track coach at Warren Middle School in Forney, Texas, is the recipient of our September Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this award by her student, Ethan. Joining Rachel in this episode are Ethan and Ethan's mom, Jessica.   You'll hear about: - Rachel Bowen's journey to becoming a teacher. - The impact...

Angela Wunderlich and NiKole Nickerson, Senior Regional Program Managers at TEACH.org, join us for an organizational spotlight podcast episode. As Senior Program Manager at TEACH.org North Carolina, Nikole combines a deep empathy and passion for education with a BA in History and an M.Ed in Social Studies Education, and an MPA, with an Ed. D in Higher Education Leadership on the horizon. Her passi...

Vincent Cobb, CEO of Summer House Institute, joins us for an organizational spotlight podcast episode. Summer House Institute is a national organization committed to inspiring, developing, and growing the next generation of Black and Latino male educators in U.S. public schools. Vincent is responsible for working with program partners in major school districts across the country to advance racial...

Britton Banowsky, Executive Director at the College Football Playoff Foundation, joins us in our first organizational spotlight podcast episode. Britton Banowsky was named the first Executive Director of the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation in July 2015. He leads the organization’s philanthropic initiative, as well as its capstone project, Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT). Banowsky’s role i...

This month, we recognize the ongoing impact of the devastating wildfires in Southern California. In the aftermath of a tragedy, teachers often assume a role to offer students emotional support, stability, and hope. This month’s Honoree has been an anchor for his students, supporting them through one of life’s most difficult moments. Dave Suarez, a Social Sciences teacher and golf coach at Palisade...

To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week in May, we are excited to have our first-ever double Honorees! This month, we are sharing the story of two incredible educators who have changed the lives of their students. Hailey Ellzey, a Business teacher at Greenbrier High School in Greenbrier, Arkansas, is one of the recipients of our May 2025 Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this a...

To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week in May, we are excited to have our first-ever double Honorees! This month, we are sharing the story of two incredible educators who have changed the lives of their students. Misty Burgess, a Business teacher at Greenbrier High School in Greenbrier, Arkansas, is one of the recipients of our May 2025 Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this a...

To celebrate Autism Acceptance Month, we are honored to share the story of an incredible educator who has made an impact on the life of a student with autism. Kiersten Wood, a 1st-3rd grade Special Day Class teacher at Henry Miller Elementary School in Los Banos, California, is the recipient of our March 2025 Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this award by the parents of her s...

Marcy Anderson, a 2nd-grade teacher at Manchester Park Elementary School in Lenexa, Kansas, is the recipient of our March 2025 Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this award by her student, Ben, and Ben's mom, Jessica. Joining Marcy in this episode are her student, Ben, and Ben's mom, Jessica.   You'll hear about: - Marcy Anderson's journey to becoming a teacher - The impact Mar...

Kurk Watson, a K-8 Drama teacher at Albert M. Greenfield School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the recipient of our February 2025 Honored National Teaching Award. He was nominated for this award by Summer House Institute: https://www.summerhouseco.org/ . Joining Kurk in this episode are his student, Nate, and Nate's parent, Erica.   You'll hear about: - Kurk Watson's journey to becoming a teach...

Aleah Washington, a middle school Resource Specialist at Murray Middle School in Ridgecrest, California, is the recipient of our January 2025 Honored National Teaching Award. She was nominated for this award by Jocelin Quinton, who shares the incredible impact Aleah Washington has had on Jocelin's son, Ty.    You'll hear about: - Ms. Washington's journey to becoming a teacher - The impact Ms. Wash...