Frequently Asked Questions

The award is open to all education professionals, including:

• Teachers at all grade levels

• School administrators (principals, assistant principals)

• District leaders (superintendents, curriculum directors)

• School support staff (counselors, librarians, specialists)

Any education professional who demonstrates exceptional impact in one or more of our four pillars—Student Impact, Staff Support, Community Influence, and Service Leadership—is eligible for nomination.

No, there is absolutely no cost to nominate someone for the Pathlight Impact Award. The nomination process is completely free, and no purchase, enrollment, or registration is required at any stage. This is an independent recognition initiative designed to celebrate excellence in education without any financial barriers.

All nominations are reviewed by an independent selection committee. The committee evaluates each nomination based on demonstrated impact in four key areas:

• Student Impact: Transforming student learning and development

• Staff Support: Empowering colleagues and building collaborative teams

• Community Influence: Strengthening connections between school and community

• Service Leadership: Leading with dedication and going beyond expectations

The selection is based solely on merit and demonstrated impact, not popularity. Sponsorship does not influence the selection process in any way.

The deadline for submitting nominations is June 10, 2026. All nominations must be received by this date to be considered for the current award cycle. The recipient will be selected and announced in Summer 2026 following the independent review process.

The Pathlight Impact Award includes a total of $5,000:

• $3,000 individual cash award - Direct recognition for the honoree

• $2,000 school/district contribution - Supporting the honoree's institution to continue creating impact in education

In addition to the monetary award, the recipient will be publicly recognized and celebrated for their exceptional contributions to education.

Anyone who has witnessed an education professional's exceptional impact can submit a nomination. This includes:

• Colleagues and fellow teachers

• School and district administrators

• Parents and guardians

• Community supporters and volunteers

We encourage nominations from those who have firsthand knowledge of the nominee's impact and can provide specific examples of their contributions.

While we appreciate the dedication of those who are passionate about their work, this award is designed to recognize individuals through the eyes of those they've impacted. We ask that nominations come from colleagues, administrators, parents, or community members who have witnessed the nominee's exceptional contributions firsthand.

Yes! If multiple people recognize the same individual's exceptional impact, they are welcome to submit separate nominations. Multiple nominations can help the selection committee understand the breadth and depth of an individual's contributions from different perspectives.

The Pathlight Impact Award is distinguished by its:

• Independence: No sponsorship influence on selection

• Focus on impact over popularity: Merit-based evaluation

• Inclusive eligibility: Open to all education professionals, not just teachers

• Dual recognition: Awards benefit both the individual and their institution

• Community-driven: Nominations from those who witness impact firsthand

We believe in recognizing genuine, lasting impact that extends beyond traditional measures of success.

You will receive a confirmation message immediately after submitting your nomination through our online form. If you have any concerns about whether your nomination was received, please contact us through our Contact page, and we will be happy to verify.