About the Award
This award recognizes a leader in rural public education who exemplifies excellence through visionary leadership leading to the implementation of innovative practices securing a higher quality education for students at their rural public school or charter. Such innovation should demonstrate:
- Commitment to educational quality and student achievement and a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.
- Facilitating a sustainable school culture and instructional programs conducive to student learning and staff development.
- Effective identification of student academic needs and appropriate instructional strategies to achieve measurable student academic improvement outcomes.
Eligibility Criteria
- ARSA Member
- District/school leader with at least two years of experience
- Nominated by a peer recognizing the visionary leadership
- Able to point to a singular innovative achievement transforming the quality of education within their school or district
- Able to articulate the vision grounding their innovative approach to public education
- Able to demonstrate (with testimonials or data) that the innovation implemented positively affected student achievement levels
- Letters of support from at least two staff engaged in the implemented practice
2025 Champions of Innovation Award Recipient Jamie Thuneman
2024 Champions of Innovation Award Recipient Frank Vander Horst
