Celebrating innovative educators and administrators from across PreK–12, higher ed and post-graduate education.
Founded in 2022, the McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award honors three educators or administrators who have shown innovation and inventiveness in their approach to teaching, helping learners discover their unique path to success. Winners receive a $5,000 cash prize.
We are now accepting nominations for the 2027 Pathfinder Award until 2/12/27. Educators are not required to be a McGraw Hill customer. Winners will be announced in May 2027.
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NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited by law. Subject to full Official Rules. Contest begins 11/4/26 and ends on 2/12/27. To be eligible to win a prize, participants must be a U.S. resident, 18 years or older, and be an instructor or administrator at a PreK-12, Higher Education, or Post-Graduate institution in the U.S. McGraw Hill employees and their families are not eligible to participate. Three (3) Educators or Administrators, one PreK-12 educator or administrator, one Higher Education educator or administrator, and one Post-Graduate educator or administrator, will be selected as winners by a panel of qualified judges. Full details regarding eligibility, submissions, and awarding of prizes are included in the Official Rules.
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NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. To be eligible to win a prize, participants must be a U.S. resident, 18 years or older, and be an eligible instructor or administrator. Contest begins 11/4/26 and ends on 2/12/27. Full details regarding eligibility, submissions, and awarding of prizes are included in the Official Rules.
"I think literacy is a civil right. When we give a child the science of how to read and the agency of how to write, I think we're giving them the keys to own their own liberation."
Language Arts Teacher
Paterson Public Schools, School #16
Paterson, New Jersey
Sonja turned her ELA classroom into a multimedia lab where students produce digital books, commercials, and games – and saw an incredible jump in state assessment scores as a result. Read more.
Caycee Tyler
"I use immersive tools to remove learning barriers. But with any kind of new tech, I want to make sure the teacher is in the driver's seat. I want it to enhance what we already do, not take the place of."
Biology Instructor
West Georgia Technical College
Carrollton, Georgia
Caycee brings augmented reality into her science classroom—like 3D models and virtual dissections—which helps students strengthen their lab skills, exam scores, and confidence. Read more.
Dr. Michael McShane
"Innovation can be tough, and sometimes creating a space where people can learn and be their full selves means causing a little bit of good trouble."
Associate Professor of Medicine
Penn State College of Medicine
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Dr. McShane’s LION Mobile Clinic delivers care and resources to 1,000+ rural Pennsylvanians and trains the next generation of practitioners for community-based care. Read more.
2025 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner
Engineering & Robotics Teacher and Founder of STEMbrick Academy
Rosenberg, Texas
Richard is revolutionizing STEM education through immersive, hands-on learning experiences. His innovative STEM curriculum has been adopted across the district, expanding access for under-represented students. Read more.
Dr. Farah Bennani
2025 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner
Dean of Math, Science and Engineering
Elgin, Illinois
Farah developed Remote Web-Based Science Labs (RWSLB), which eliminate barriers to hands-on scientific exploration, improving access and retention for underrepresented students. Read more.
Dr. Narissra Maria Punyanunt-Carter
2025 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner
Professor, Communications Studies
Lubbock, Texas
Narissra integrates cutting-edge technologies like AI-driven tools, virtual simulations, and gamified assessments to create engaging, student-centered learning environments. Read more.
2024 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner
2nd grade teacher, John P. Freeman Optional School
Memphis, Tennessee
Melissa founded an after-school club called “The Future Leaders of STEM” where students in 3rd to 8th grade interact with professionals of color and are inducted through a White Coat Ceremony. Read more.
Lauren Hynicka, Pharm.D, BCPS, RYT-200
2024 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner
Associate Professor of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Baltimore, Maryland
Lauren developed hands-on electives focused on integrative medicine and nutrition for improved patient and provider health, addressing an increasing desire from patients for broader, more inclusive care that is focused on health and wellness. Watch Video.
Dr. Rachel Prado
2024 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner
Chemistry and Biochemistry Senior Lecturer, Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama
Rachel led the creation of a web-based XR activity to help organic chemistry students visualize in 3D, addressing a notable spatial ability gap often along gender lines. Read more.
2023 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner
Business professor, California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Roger has devoted his career to developing and fine-tuning approaches to making his teaching engaging and interesting to the incredibly diverse group of students in his courses. Read more.
Ibrahim Odeh, Ph.D., MBA
2023 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner
Founding Director, Global Leaders in Construction Management at Columbia University
New York, N.Y.
Created online construction management courses using a roster of world-renowned guest presenters to teach students how abstract concepts are translated into real-life projects.Read more.
Melissa Tracy, M.A., M.Ed.
2023 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner
Food Studies and Social Studies Teacher at Odyssey Charter School
Wilmington, Del.
Melissa transformed an elective Food Studies course into a massive agriscience program that has multiple outdoor gardens, goats and chickens, a hydroponic lab and opportunities for students to earn dual-enrollment college credits. Read more.
2026 Pathfinder Award Honorable Mentions
We're proud to introduce the Honorable Mention category, which recognizes additional exceptional educators who exemplify the Pathfinder spirit.
K–12
Miriam McKinney, Quincy Junior High School (Quincy, Illinois)
Olivia Rightley, Oak Park Elementary (Tampa, Florida)
Suzanne Woolfolk, Mountain View Los Altos High School District (Mountain View, California)
Higher Education
Doris Espiritu, PhD, City Colleges of Chicago School of Engineering (Chicago, Illinois)
Jennifer Ripley Stueckle, PhD, West Virginia University (Morgantown, West Virginia)
Jessie Affleck, Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville, Georgia)
Post-Graduate Education
Colette A. Waddell, PT, DPT, Winston-Salem State University (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
Jed Wolpaw, MD, M.Ed, FASA, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Baltimore, Maryland)
Arindam Sarkar, MD, Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, Texas)
Mohd Shahid, PhD, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (North Chicago, Illinois)
Pathfinder Perspectives
Hear from our Pathfinder Award winners as they elevate important conversations, share proven practices, and champion the causes that matter most to educators and students.
Human interaction is the thing that makes students feel safe enough to take academic risks.
Sonja Capers
2026 Pathfinder Award Winner
Paterson Public Schools
Our national educator award program recognizes innovative, inventive teachers and administrators across PreK-12, higher ed and post-graduate education. To be eligible for our national educator and administrator award, entrant must be 18 years or older and a current instructor or administrator at a PreK-12, higher ed or post-graduate institution in the U.S. McGraw Hill employees and their families are not eligible to participate.
Educators or administrators may nominate themselves or can be nominated by another educator, administrator, student, family member or friend. Entrants are asked to provide answers to just a few short questions and can also submit an optional video or photo to accompany the application. An individual may nominate multiple people; however, it may be necessary to refresh the browser to reload the form.
Nominations are due February 12, 2027. Winners will be contacted March 2027, and announced publicly after May 4, 2027.
Three educators or administrators, including one PreK-12 educator/administrator, one higher ed educator/administrator and one post-graduate educator/administrator, will be selected as winners by a panel of twelve qualified judges that includes representative from McGraw Hill School, McGraw Hill Higher Education and, McGraw Hill Global Professional. Full details regarding submissions and awarding of prizes are included in the Official Rules.
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2026-11-04T05:25:01.718Z
corp <h1><span class="text-white"><span class="display-5"><span class="fw-bold">McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award</span></span></span></h1> <div><span class="text-white"><strong><span class="fs-5">Celebrating innovative educators and administrators from across PreK–12, higher ed and post-graduate education. </span></strong></span></div> <div><span class="text-white"><span class="fs-6"> </span></span></div> <div><span class="text-white"><span class="fs-6">Founded in 2022, the McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award honors three educators or administrators who have shown innovation and inventiveness in their approach to teaching, helping learners discover their unique path to success. Winners receive a $5,000 cash prize.</span></span></div> <div> </div> <div><span class="text-white"><span class="fs-6"><span class="fw-extrabold">We are now accepting nominations for the 2027 Pathfinder Award until 2/12/27.</span> Educators are not required to be a McGraw Hill customer. Winners will be announced in May 2027.</span></span></div> Submit a Nomination Subscribe Subscribe <p><span class="text-white">NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. To be eligible to win a prize, participants must be a U.S. resident, 18 years or older, and be an eligible instructor or administrator. Contest begins 11/4/26 and ends on 2/12/27. Full details regarding eligibility, submissions, and awarding of prizes are included in the <a href="/content/dam/mhe/corporate/pathfinder-awards/mcgraw-hill-pathfinder-awards-2027-official-rules.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="link-light-underline">Official Rules</span></a>.</span></p> Latest News Meet Our Pathfinder Award Winners Pathfinder Award Honorable Mentions Pathfinder Perspectives In the Media FAQ <h2><span class="fw-bold">Latest News</span></h2> <h2><span class="fw-bold">Meet Our Pathfinder Award Winners</span></h2> Pathfinder award winners 2026 Winners 2026 Winners 2026 2025 Winners 2025 Winners 2025 2024 Winners 2024 Winners 2024 2023 Winners 2023 Winners 2023 Photo of Sonja Capers <p><span class="h3"><span class="fw-bold">Sonja Capers</span></span></p> <p><span class="fs-large">"I think literacy is a civil right. When we give a child the science of how to read and the agency of how to write, I think we're giving them the keys to own their own liberation."</span></p> <p><strong>Language Arts Teacher<br> Paterson Public Schools, School #16<br> Paterson, New Jersey</strong></p> <p>Sonja turned her ELA classroom into a multimedia lab where students produce digital books, commercials, and games – and saw an incredible jump in state assessment scores as a result. <a href="/content/mheducation/us/en/about-us/news-insights/press-releases/introducing-the-2026-mcgraw-hill-pathfinder-award-winners.html" title="Read more about Sonja Capers in the press release"><span class="link-dark-underline">Read more</span></a>.</p> Photo of Caycee Tyler <p><span class="h3"><span class="fw-bold">Caycee Tyler</span></span></p> <p><span class="fs-large">"I use immersive tools to remove learning barriers. But with any kind of new tech, I want to make sure the teacher is in the driver's seat. I want it to enhance what we already do, not take the place of."</span></p> <p><strong>Biology Instructor <br> West Georgia Technical College<br> Carrollton, Georgia</strong></p> <p>Caycee brings augmented reality into her science classroom—like 3D models and virtual dissections—which helps students strengthen their lab skills, exam scores, and confidence. <a href="/content/mheducation/us/en/about-us/news-insights/press-releases/introducing-the-2026-mcgraw-hill-pathfinder-award-winners.html" title="Read more about Caycee Tyler in the press release"><span class="link-dark-underline">Read more</span></a>.</p> Photo of Dr. Michael McShane <p><span class="h3"><span class="fw-bold">Dr. Michael McShane</span></span></p> <p><span class="fs-large">"Innovation can be tough, and sometimes creating a space where people can learn and be their full selves means causing a little bit of good trouble."</span></p> <p><strong>Associate Professor of Medicine<br> Penn State College of Medicine<br> Hershey, Pennsylvania</strong></p> <p>Dr. McShane’s LION Mobile Clinic delivers care and resources to 1,000+ rural Pennsylvanians and trains the next generation of practitioners for community-based care. <a href="/content/mheducation/us/en/about-us/news-insights/press-releases/introducing-the-2026-mcgraw-hill-pathfinder-award-winners.html" title="Read more about Dr. Michael McShane in the press release"><span class="link-dark-underline">Read more</span></a>.</p> Photo of Richard Embrick <p><span class="h3"><strong>Richard Embrick</strong></span></p> <p><strong>2025 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner<br> Engineering & Robotics Teacher and Founder of STEMbrick Academy<br> Rosenberg, Texas</strong></p> <p>Richard is revolutionizing STEM education through immersive, hands-on learning experiences. His innovative STEM curriculum has been adopted across the district, expanding access for under-represented students. <u><a href="/content/mheducation/us/en/about-us/news-insights/press-releases/celebrating-innovative-educators-announcing-the-mcgraw-hill-pathfinder-awards-class-of-2025.html" target="_blank"><span class="link-dark-underline">Read more</span></a></u>.</p> Photo of Dr. Farah Bennani <p><span class="h3"><strong>Dr. Farah Bennani</strong></span></p> <p><strong>2025 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner<br> Dean of Math, Science and Engineering <br> Elgin, Illinois</strong></p> <p>Farah developed Remote Web-Based Science Labs (RWSLB), which eliminate barriers to hands-on scientific exploration, improving access and retention for underrepresented students. <u><a href="/content/mheducation/us/en/highered/blog/2025/11/farrah-bennani-phd-innovating-education-as-a-mcgraw-hill-pathfinder-award-winner.html" target="_blank"><span class="link-dark-underline">Read more</span></a></u>.</p> Photo of Dr. Narissra Maria Punyanunt-Carter <p><span class="h3"><strong>Dr. Narissra Maria Punyanunt-Carter</strong></span></p> <p><strong>2025 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner<br> Professor, Communications Studies<br> Lubbock, Texas</strong></p> <p>Narissra integrates cutting-edge technologies like AI-driven tools, virtual simulations, and gamified assessments to create engaging, student-centered learning environments. <u><a href="/content/mheducation/us/en/about-us/news-insights/press-releases/celebrating-innovative-educators-announcing-the-mcgraw-hill-pathfinder-awards-class-of-2025.html" target="_blank"><span class="link-dark">Read more</span></a></u>.</p> Photo of Dr. Melissa Collins holding the 2024 Pathfinder Award <p><span class="h3"><strong>Dr. Melissa Collins</strong></span></p> <p><strong>2024 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner<br> 2nd grade teacher, John P. Freeman Optional School<br> Memphis, Tennessee</strong></p> <p>Melissa founded an after-school club called “The Future Leaders of STEM” where students in 3rd to 8th grade interact with professionals of color and are inducted through a White Coat Ceremony. <u><a href="/content/mheducation/us/en/about-us/news-insights/press-releases/2024-winners-mcgraw-hill-pathfinder-awards.html" target="_blank"><span class="link-dark">Read more</span></a></u>. </p> Photo of Lauren Hynicka holding the 2024 Pathfinder Award <p><span class="h3"><strong>Lauren Hynicka, Pharm.D, BCPS, RYT-200</strong></span></p> <p><strong>2024 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner<br> Associate Professor of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy <br> Baltimore, Maryland</strong></p> <p>Lauren developed hands-on electives focused on integrative medicine and nutrition for improved patient and provider health, addressing an increasing desire from patients for broader, more inclusive care that is focused on health and wellness. <u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7RiBtgvlpI" target="_blank"><span class="link-dark-underline">Watch Video</span></a></u>. </p> Photo of Dr. Rachel Prado holding the 2024 Pathfinder Award <p><span class="h3"><strong>Dr. Rachel Prado</strong></span></p> <p><strong>2024 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner<br> Chemistry and Biochemistry Senior Lecturer, Auburn University<br> Auburn, Alabama</strong></p> <p>Rachel led the creation of a web-based XR activity to help organic chemistry students visualize in 3D, addressing a notable spatial ability gap often along gender lines. <u><a href="/content/mheducation/us/en/about-us/news-insights/press-releases/2024-winners-mcgraw-hill-pathfinder-awards.html" target="_blank"><span class="link-dark">Read more</span></a></u>. </p> Photo of Roger Lee Mendoza <p><span class="h3"><strong>Roger Lee Mendoza, Ph.D.</strong></span></p> <p><strong>2023 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner<br> Business professor, California State University-Los Angeles<br> Los Angeles, CA</strong></p> <p>Roger has devoted his career to developing and fine-tuning approaches to making his teaching engaging and interesting to the incredibly diverse group of students in his courses. <u><a href="/content/mheducation/us/en/about-us/news-insights/blog/can-games-poetry-and-pop-music-help-students-learn-healthcare-finance.html" target="_blank"><span class="link-dark">Read more</span></a></u>.</p> Photo of Ibrahim Odeh <p><span class="h3"><strong>Ibrahim Odeh, Ph.D., MBA</strong></span></p> <p><strong>2023 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner<br> Founding Director, Global Leaders in Construction Management at Columbia University<br> New York, N.Y.</strong></p> <p>Created online construction management courses using a roster of world-renowned guest presenters to teach students how abstract concepts are translated into real-life projects.<span class="link-dark"> </span><u><a href="/content/mheducation/us/en/about-us/news-insights/blog/making-learning-a-team-pursuit.html" target="_blank"><span class="link-dark">Read more</span></a></u>.</p> Photo of Melissa Tracy <p><span class="h3"><strong>Melissa Tracy, M.A., M.Ed.</strong></span></p> <p><strong>2023 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award Winner<br> Food Studies and Social Studies Teacher at Odyssey Charter School<br> Wilmington, Del.</strong></p> <p>Melissa transformed an elective Food Studies course into a massive agriscience program that has multiple outdoor gardens, goats and chickens, a hydroponic lab and opportunities for students to earn dual-enrollment college credits. <u><a href="/content/mheducation/us/en/about-us/news-insights/blog/planting-the-seeds-of-innovation.html" target="_blank"><span class="link-dark">Read more</span></a></u>.</p> <h2><span class="fw-bold">2026 Pathfinder Award Honorable Mentions</span></h2> <p>We're proud to introduce the Honorable Mention category, which recognizes additional exceptional educators who exemplify the Pathfinder spirit.</p> <h3><span class="fw-semibold">K–12</span></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Miriam McKinney</strong>, Quincy Junior High School (Quincy, Illinois)</li> <li><strong>Olivia Rightley</strong>, Oak Park Elementary (Tampa, Florida)</li> <li><strong>Suzanne Woolfolk</strong>, Mountain View Los Altos High School District (Mountain View, California)</li> </ul> <h3><span class="fw-semibold"><span class="fw-bold">Higher Education</span></span></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Doris Espiritu</strong><span class="fw-bold">, PhD,</span> City Colleges of Chicago School of Engineering (Chicago, Illinois)</li> <li><strong>Jennifer Ripley Stueckle, PhD,</strong> West Virginia University (Morgantown, West Virginia)</li> <li><strong>Jessie Affleck</strong>, Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville, Georgia)</li> </ul> <h3><span class="fw-semibold"><span class="fw-bold">Post-Graduate Education</span></span></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Colette A. Waddell</strong>,<span class="fw-bold"> PT, DPT, </span>Winston-Salem State University (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)</li> <li><strong>Jed Wolpaw</strong>,<span class="fw-bold"> MD, M.Ed, FASA,</span> The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Baltimore, Maryland)</li> <li><strong>Arindam Sarkar</strong>,<span class="fw-bold"> MD,</span> Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, Texas)</li> <li><strong>Mohd Shahid</strong><span class="fw-bold">, PhD,</span> Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (North Chicago, Illinois)</li> </ul> <h2><span class="fw-bold">Pathfinder Perspectives</span></h2> <p>Hear from our Pathfinder Award winners as they elevate important conversations, share proven practices, and champion the causes that matter most to educators and students.</p> <p>Human interaction is the thing that makes students feel safe enough to take academic risks.</p> <p>Sonja Capers<br> 2026 Pathfinder Award Winner<br> Paterson Public Schools</p> <h2><strong><a id="in-the-media"></a>In the Media</strong></h2> Links List <h2><strong><span class="fw-bold"><a id="faqs"></a></span></strong><span class="fw-bold">FAQs</span></h2> <p>First accordion item</p> <p>Our national educator award program recognizes innovative, inventive teachers and administrators across PreK-12, higher ed and post-graduate education. To be eligible for our national educator and administrator award, entrant must be 18 years or older and a current instructor or administrator at a PreK-12, higher ed or post-graduate institution in the U.S. McGraw Hill employees and their families are not eligible to participate.</p> <p>Educators or administrators may nominate themselves or can be nominated by another educator, administrator, student, family member or friend. Entrants are asked to provide answers to just a few short questions and can also submit an optional video or photo to accompany the application. An individual may nominate multiple people; however, it may be necessary to refresh the browser to reload the form.</p> <p>Nominations are due February 12, 2027. Winners will be contacted March 2027, and announced publicly after May 4, 2027.</p> Who is eligible for the Pathfinder Award? Who can nominate someone for the Pathfinder Award? When are nominations due? Who sits on the judging panel of the Pathfinder Award? <p>Three educators or administrators, including one PreK-12 educator/administrator, one higher ed educator/administrator and one post-graduate educator/administrator, will be selected as winners by a panel of twelve qualified judges that includes representative from McGraw Hill School, McGraw Hill Higher Education and, McGraw Hill Global Professional. Full details regarding submissions and awarding of prizes are included in the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="/content/dam/mhe/corporate/pathfinder-awards/mcgraw-hill-pathfinder-awards-2027-official-rules.pdf">Official Rules</a>.</p>
