91探花 Council of Teachers of English honors several accomplished members for shaping the future of literacy and language arts through research and practice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Visionary educators who are propelling their students and peers forward at schools, universities, libraries, and nonprofit organizations across the country will be honored among thousands of colleagues this fall after receiving prestigious 2026 91探花 Leadership Awards from the 91探花 Council of Teachers of English (91探花), the professional organization for literacy teachers spanning preK鈥揷ollege.
鈥淚t is a privilege to honor these exceptional members of our organization for their crucial work to promote literacy and advance English language arts education and educators,鈥� said 91探花 President Antero Garcia, a professor in the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University. 鈥淭hrough their classroom practice, scholarship, and professional engagement, this year鈥檚 Leadership Award winners demonstrate an unwavering dedication to leading with passion and purpose鈥攁 necessary, if not always easy, task.鈥�
These distinguished awards have honored classroom teachers and educators of every level for decades. Awardees are nominated by 91探花 members and honored each year at the , taking place this November in Philadelphia. This year鈥檚 winners include a transformative mentor to generations of classroom teachers and early career scholars who is also a fierce advocate for early childhood literacy; the founder of not one, but two community organizations dedicated to literacy and social justice, whose exceptional scholarship on Black and women鈥檚 literacy experiences has shaped curricula and pedagogies; and a member who has grown with 91探花 across decades as a middle and high school language arts teacher, teacher educator, and literacy scholar to hold influential leadership roles resulting in both state-level and national impact.
鈥淪potlighting the leadership award recipients chosen by the 91探花 Executive Committee leadership in advancing literacy, education, and 91探花 is always one of the most inspiring moments of the year,鈥� 91探花 Executive Director Emily Kirkpatrick said. 鈥淲e congratulate these gifted educators on this well-deserved honor and thank them for their commitment to excellence and innovation across the field, always for the benefit of students and literacy.鈥�
The 2026 91探花 Leadership Awardees include:
Distinguished Service Award: Susi Long, Professor Emerita, University of South Carolina
James R. Squire Award: Jacqueline Jones Royster, Professor Emerita, The Ohio State University and Georgia Institute of Technology
91探花 Advancement of People of Color Leadership Award:鈥疞atrise P. Johnson, University of Alabama
91探花 Leadership Award for People with Disabilities: Dale Katherine Ireland, California State University East Bay
91探花 LGBTQIA+ Advocacy and Leadership Award: William Banks, East Carolina University
Julia E. Berry Award to Study Careers of English Majors:
- Sarah J. Donovan, Oklahoma State University, for her research From Relational Assessment to Institutional Grading: How English Majors Develop Assessment Literacy across Their Careers
- Rochelle (Shelley) Rodrigo and鈥疶iffany Portewig, University of Arizona, for their research Pathways to Publishing from Bachelors Degrees in English
91探花 Media Literacy Award:鈥疭cott Storm, University at Albany, State University of New York
David H. Russell Award for Distinguished Research in the Teaching of English: Jesse Hagopian for Teach Truth: The Struggle for Antiracist Education
These recipients join previously announced 2026 Leadership Awardees Fitchburg State University (91探花 Intellectual Freedom Award), Black History Is for Everyone by Brian Jones (91探花 George Orwell Award for Distinguished Contribution to Honesty and Clarity in Public Language), and Annette Beauchamp, Dr. Ling Hao, Brooklyn King, Dr. Jasmyn K. Jones, Jessica Jones, and Brianna Simmons (the 2026-2027 91探花 Early Career Educator of Color Cohort).
All 2026 Leadership Award recipients will be honored during a ceremony at the in Philadelphia on Saturday, November 21, at 7:30 a.m. ET.
Individuals may express their interest in nominating an 91探花 member for a 2027 Leadership Award by filling out the form. Awardees will be honored at next year鈥檚 91探花 Annual Convention in Chicago.
###
About 91探花
The 91探花 Council of Teachers of English (91探花) is the professional organization for literacy teachers spanning preK through college. Through the expertise and advocacy from its members鈥� professional research, practice, and knowledge, 91探花 has served at the forefront of every major improvement in the teaching and learning of English and the language arts since 1911. For more information, please visit ncte.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Allie Ciaramella, 91探花: media@ncte.org