Program Overview
After a thrilling awards season in celebration of AVID's 45th anniversary, we are excited to announce the AVID Global Achievement Awards are BACK for 2026!
We’re excited to launch this year’s AVID Global Achievement Awards nomination process, celebrating the incredible AVID educators who go above and beyond to inspire students and bring the AVID mission to life each day. This is your chance to recognize AVID champions whose passion and dedication make a lasting impact.
Submit a nomination and help us highlight educators whose transformative impact changes lives!
Skip Ahead to See Eligibility Criteria for Each Category:
Awards Presentation and Recognition
- Finalists will be celebrated at the 2026 AVID Summer Institutes.
- Winners will be announced and honored at the 2026 AVID National Conference.
Nomination Deadline
The deadline for submission of all nominations to AVID was on March 27, 2026, at 11:59 pm PT.
Nominees can anticipate an email letting them know they have been nominated. This outreach will also include a request for additional information. We are so excited to celebrate our amazing community with you—thank you for amplifying this opportunity!
Important Dates
The awards program takes place over a calendar year:
- February 17, 2026: Nomination period opens.
- March 27, 2026: Deadline for nominees to submit applications through the online platform.
- Early May: Finalists announced.
- June – August 2026: Finalists celebrated at local Summer Institutes.
- December 2026: Recipients announced and honored at the AVID National Conference.
Counselor of the Year
The AVID Counselor of the Year award recognizes an AVID Counselor who has made outstanding contributions to the implementation and advancement of the AVID College and Career Readiness System.
Robin Ellison
Rancho Verde High School, Val Verde Unified School District, CA
Jami Gulini
Early College High School, Newport-Mesa Unified School District, CA
Keila Porter
Freedom High School, Orange County Public Schools, FL
District Leader of the Year
The AVID District Leader of the Year award recognizes a district leader who has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the AVID College and Career Readiness System in their district.
Mat Gulbrandsen
Live Oak Unified School District, CA
Christie Huseman
Humble ISD, TX
Maria Pineda
Los Angeles Unified School District, CA
Nancy Vielhauer
River Delta Unified School District, CA
Elementary Principal of the Year
The AVID Elementary Principal of the Year award recognizes an elementary school principal who has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the AVID College and Career Readiness System in their school.
Dr. Brandy Howell
Murrell Taylor Elementary, Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, AR
Dr. Amanda Minear
Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary, Columbia Public Schools, MO
Leticia Valencia
C. W. McGraw Elementary School, Yuma Elementary School District One, AZ
Dr. Sonya Whitmore
Thomas Edison Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, TN
Elementary Teacher of the Year
The AVID Elementary Teacher of the Year award recognizes an elementary school teacher who has made outstanding contributions to the implementation and advancement of the AVID College and Career Readiness System.
Nicole Brehm
La Veta Elementary, Orange Unified School District, CA
Maegan Hand
Lakeview Elementary, The School District of Osceola County, FL
Dr. Kimberly McKnight
Joseph Keels Elementary, Richland School District Two, SC
International Educator/Leader of the Year
The AVID International Educator/Leader of the Year award recognizes an international partner who has made outstanding contributions to the global advancement of the AVID College and Career Readiness System.
Concetta Faranda
Wyndham Central College, Australia
Brenton Farleigh
Loganlea State High School, Australia
Elaine Hazim
Victoria University Secondary College, Australia
Warren Welham
Northlakes High School, Australia
Secondary Principal of the Year
The AVID Secondary Principal of the Year award recognizes a secondary school principal who has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the AVID College and Career Readiness System in their school.
Dr. Terrell Awak
Creekside High School, Fulton County Schools, GA
Randy King
Brandenburg Middle School, Garland Independent School District, TX
Shana King
David Crockett Early College High School, Austin Independent School District, TX
Dr. Gregorio Verbera
Woodrow Wilson Senior High School, Los Angeles Unified School District, CA
Secondary Teacher of the Year
The AVID Secondary Teacher of the Year award recognizes an AVID Elective teacher or Site Team teacher who has made outstanding contributions to the implementation and advancement of the AVID College and Career Readiness System.
Tiffany Garza
Kaffie Middle School, Corpus Christi Independent School District, TX
Jodie Kaminskis
Everett Alvarez HS, Salinas Union High School District, CA
Diana Lopez
Highlands Middle School, White Plains Public Schools, NY
Sarah Rock
Brandenburg Middle School, Garland Independent School District, TX
Site Coordinator of the Year
The AVID Site Coordinator of the Year award recognizes a Site Coordinator who has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the AVID College and Career Readiness System in their district.
Cody Christie
West Fargo High School, West Fargo Public Schools, ND
Kellie Goforth
North County High School, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MD
Stephanie Thatcher
Villa Fundamental Intermediate, Santa Ana Unified School District, CA
Marcia Tinoco
James Monroe High School, Los Angeles Unified School District, CA
Site Team of the Year
The AVID Site Team of the Year award recognizes an AVID Site Team that has made outstanding contributions to the implementation and advancement of the AVID College and Career Readiness System at their site.
Cleveland Elementary School
Stockton Unified School District, CA
Freedom High School
Orange County Public Schools, FL
Whites Creek High School
Metro Nashville Public Schools, TN
Wyndham Central College
Australia
Staff Developer of the Year
The AVID Staff Developer of the Year Award aims to honor an exceptional staff developer for their outstanding contributions to professional learning, student success, and the advancement of the AVID College and Career Readiness System.
Stephanie Larson
Armstrong Elementary, South Washington County Schools, MN
Genessee Montes
Mesa Public Schools, AZ
Ray Sherriff
Wyndham Central College, Australia
Holly Todd
Riverside County Office of Education, CA
Need Help?
Please contact AVID Care for assistance.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 4:30 pm PT
Phone: 1-833-AVID-CARE (1-833-284-3227)
Email: AVIDCare@avid.org
You can also chat with an AVID expert by clicking the blue “Chat with AVIDCare” box on any AVID.org page.
