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McGraw Hill Pathfinder Awards

Celebrating innovative educators from across PreK–12, higher ed and post-graduate education.  
 
Founded in 2022, the McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award honors three educators 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, plus a Professional Learning Consultation from CAST, a learning design, research, and professional services organization that seeks to make learning more inclusive to all.
 
We are now accepting nominations for the 2026 McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award until February 13, 2026. Educators are not required to be a McGraw Hill customer. Winners will be announced after May 1, 2026. Subscribe to receive information and updates about the program.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited by law. Subject to full Official Rules.

FAQs

Our national educator award program recognizes innovative, inventive teachers across PreK-12, higher ed and post-graduate education. To be eligible for our national educator award, entrant must be 18 years or older and a current instructor 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 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 13, 2026. Winners will be contacted mid-March 2026, and announced publicly after May 1, 2026.

Three educators, including one PreK-12 educator, one higher ed educator and one post-graduate educator, will be selected as winners by a panel of four qualified judges that includes a representative from McGraw Hill School, McGraw Hill Higher Education, McGraw Hill Global Professional and a member of CAST – a non-profit education organization seeking to make learning more inclusive to all. Full details regarding submissions and awarding of prizes are included in the Official Rules.

Meet Our Pathfinder Award Winners

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2026 Participation

This year, CAST—a nonprofit learning design, research, and professional services organization—will contribute a Professional Learning Consultation on inclusive, accessible learning design to the McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award prize package, and will provide a representative to serve on the judging panel.

CAST partners with schools, districts, and education companies through professional learning and accessibility services that remove barriers and expand learner agency.

Learn more about CAST Professional Learning and Accessibility Services.

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