IEI names 2026 Supes’ Choice Award winners

The Institute for Education Innovation recognized six superintendents and one EdTech partner at its 2026 Supes’ Choice Awards during the Fall National Summit in Charleston, South Carolina. The honors spotlight district leaders and a classroom technology company for work tied to student learning, collaboration and innovation.

Why it matters: - The Supes’ Choice Awards put district leaders and an EdTech partner in the spotlight for work that directly affects classrooms. - IEI uses the awards to highlight collaborations between superintendents and solution providers across K-12. - The recognition also signals which leadership traits and tools are being valued most by district peers.

What happened: - The Institute for Education Innovation announced the winners of the 2026 Supes’ Choice Awards on Oct. 13, 2026. - IEI presented the awards during its Fall National Summit in Charleston, South Carolina. - The Supes’ Choice Gala on Monday, Oct. 5, served as the summit’s centerpiece celebration. - Superintendents from across the country attended the three-day summit alongside district leaders and EdTech partners.

The details: - Tammy Williams, assistant superintendent of Greensburg Community School Corporation in Indiana, received the IEI MVP Award. - Dr. Aaron Bass, superintendent of EastSide Charter School in Delaware, received the Media Innovator Award. - Kevin Polston, superintendent of Kentwood Public Schools in Michigan, received the Excellence in Empowerment Award. - Dr. Kelly Gallt, superintendent of Lake Zurich CUSD 95 in Illinois, received the Traci Davis and Dr. Susan Enfield She-Roic Leadership Award. - Dr. Jim Rosebrock, superintendent of Rosebud-Lott ISD in Texas, received the Hank Grishman Consistency in Leadership Award. - Soundtrap for Education received the Supes’ Choice Innovation Partner Hall of Fame Award. - IEI said the Soundtrap recognition reflects the company’s work giving students a space to compose, record and share learning in their own voice. - IEI also said Soundtrap supports teachers across music, literacy, language learning and other subjects. - IEI described the Supes’ Choice Awards as a celebration of leaders who show courage, creativity and care for students.

Between the lines: - The awards are built around nominations from fellow district leaders, which gives the honor peer validation inside the education sector. - IEI’s focus on both superintendents and an EdTech partner shows the organization’s emphasis on matching district needs with classroom tools. - The mix of leadership, media, empowerment and consistency categories suggests IEI is rewarding a broad definition of impact, not just test scores or budget performance. - IEI said the organization connects district leaders with resources and relationships to address pressing K-12 challenges. - IEI said it aims to align innovation with the real needs of schools and students. - More information is available on IEI’s website.

What's next: - IEI is likely to continue using the Supes’ Choice Awards as part of its annual summit programming. - The honored superintendents and Soundtrap for Education may use the recognition to amplify their work and partnerships in the K-12 market. - IEI also listed its social channels for updates: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

The bottom line: - IEI used its Charleston summit to celebrate district leaders and an EdTech partner it views as shaping student learning and school innovation.