Welcome to Honored Schools!
Honored Schools is an initiative from Honored, aimed at recognizing great teachers, elevating student voices, and creating a consistent culture of teacher appreciation within school communities.
Welcome to Honored Schools!
The Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award
Submissions for the 2023-2024 Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award are now closed. To stay informed about upcoming opportunities to recognize your teacher through Honored, please enter your email address below!
Congratulations to the 1,690+ teachers recognized by students and families this school year!
Announcing the Winner of the 2024 Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award in
Indianapolis, IN
Gabriel Hoffman
Nora Elementary School | Indianapolis, Indiana
“He helped me love writing again. I love all of the fun activities he let us do. He let us sit next to our friends. I was always excited to go to his class every day. He always helped me if I needed it no matter small or not.”
-Nora Elementary School Student in Recognition of Gabriel Hoffman
Announcing the Winner of the 2024 Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award in
Indianapolis, IN
Brittany Taylor
Northview Middle School | Indianapolis, Indiana
“She always has a smile to greet you with and her classroom just feels entirely like home. I’m always excited to go to her class because I know I can trust her and I love how she lights up the room. We always learn something new, and when we do, she teaches it in a fun way so it sticks with us. Mrs. Taylor more than deserves this, because she made adjusting to middle school just that much easier when you have phenomenal teachers. I can’t thank you enough.”
-Northview Middle School Student in Recognition of Brittany Taylor
Announcing the Winner of the 2024 Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award in
Indianapolis, IN
Jonathan Heller
J Everett Light Career Center | Indianapolis, Indiana
“What makes this teacher awesome is the time he gives to his students and he gives us room to grow to be independent and learners. He doesn’t even have to say he cares for us to know. But he does often say he cares. He lets us make mistake and he comes around to help us figure out how not to make that same mistake again.”
-J Everett Light Career Center Student in Recognition of Jonathan Heller
Announcing the Winners of the 2024
Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award in
Inglewood, CA
Stavroula Doukas
Highland Elementary School | Inglewood, California
“The reason I love Ms. Doukas is she always there for me. She supports me and my classmates, and I don’t know why she’s not honored. Everyday I’m eager to learn just because of her. She should get credit for her work. When I go to 4th grade, I will cry. I will wish that she was my teacher forever.”
-Highland Elementary School Student in Recognition of Stavroula Doukas
Announcing the Winners of the 2024
Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award in
Inglewood, CA
Virginia Winkler
Hudnall Elementary School | Inglewood, California
“What makes Ms. Winkler an amazing teacher is her understanding and patience towards all students. She shows that she cares about my child by caring for his education and working with him. Her words of encouragement are what I see have him more confident that he will be able to do it. Thank you very much Ms Winkler. We appreciate you.”
-Hudnall Elementary School parent in Recognition of Virginia Winkler
Announcing the Winners of the 2024
Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award in
Inglewood, CA
Isaias Zagal
Morningside High School | Inglewood, California
“Mr. Z has always been a fantastic teacher since the beginning. He’s always been there for all my clubs such as MSK and LSU. He is my advisor for Latino Students Union, not only that but the soccer coach. He always does an amazing job teaching and helping me understand. Best avid, Spanish teacher, advisor ever!”
-Morningside High School Student in Recognition of Isaias Zagal
Announcing the Winner of the 2024 Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award in
New Haven, CT
Hilarie Alden
Worthington Hooker School | New Haven, Connecticut
“My second grade teacher was Ms. Alden. She was a very caring teacher who helped me understand many things I could not. If I ever had trouble or needed help, she was always there with a kind smile. Every day I would be excited to walk into her classroom and start a new fun activity. She always knew what to do at every moment whether it was time to have fun or be serious. I don’t really remember much about my earlier teachers, but I do remember her kind heart and that made a difference in my life.”
-Worthington Hooker School Student in Recognition of Hilarie Alden
Announcing the Winners of the 2024
Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award in
Spring, TX
Nicole Whittington
Jenkins Elementary School | Spring, Texas
“Knowing that she has the students best interest at heart, she will always include parents in the students’ learning and teaching developments. I have seen my son’s learning level increase all four years he was in her class. I would give her the teacher of the lifetime infinity award if there was one.”
-Jenkins Elementary School Parent in Recognition of Nicole Whittington
Announcing the Winners of the 2024
Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award in
Spring, TX
Colby Davis
Springwoods Village Middle School | Spring, Texas
“She makes me feel better about myself because she reminds us that a grade does not define us. Mrs. Davis is someone I can count on when I need help in something or I just don’t feel good. She is such a great leader, example, and teacher. She has helped me so much and has made many impacts in many lives including mine.”
-Springwoods Village Middle School Student in Recognition of Colby Davis
Announcing the Winners of the 2024
Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award in
Spring, TX
Gary Novick
Spring High School | Spring, Texas
“Out of all my years in high school, I think I can strongly say that Mr. Novick made more than a big impact in my years in Spring. Mr. Novick gave me one chance, saw the potential in me, and changed the direction of my life with me not knowing what I was gonna be doing. He is by far the most influential teacher and friend I’ve ever had going through high school, and I’m so very thankful I got his classes.”
-Spring High School Student in Recognition of Gary Novick
Announcing the Winner of the 2024 Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award in
Washington, DC
Oscar Mauricio Suarez Villafane
Columbia Heights Education Campus | Washington, DC
“I am very grateful to Mr. Villafane because I have had the opportunity to talk to him, and unburden myself, and talk about my problems, and receive advice that has helped me to apply them in my daily life. Now I enjoy school more because now I am more extroverted, and I feel that he has been a support for me inside and outside the classroom. He cares about my school performance, and is aware of how I am, how things are progressing, and I know that if I feel bad or I need to talk to someone, I can count on him because he is someone trustworthy.”
-Columbia Heights Education Campus Student in Recognition of Oscar Mauricio Suarez Villafane
Frequently Asked Questions
Invisible
How does my school become an Honored School?
Honored Schools is currently accepting inquiries for participation in our 2022-2023 school year program. If your school would like to learn more about participating in Honored Schools, please send us a note at [email protected]. Honored Schools currently operates only in Washington, DC, and Indianapolis, Indiana.
Who may be recognized?
Classroom teachers of any subject, full-time or part-time, currently teaching at your school may be recognized and are eligible for the Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award. Other school staff members may also be recognized, but they are not eligible for the award.
Who may recognize a teacher?
Current or former students, and parents or other family members on behalf of students (particularly the younger ones who may need a hand completing the nomination form!)
How do you decide who is awarded the Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award?
Will my teacher know about the recognition?
Yes! Your teacher will receive an email with your story and will know what an impact they’ve had on you. Your school will celebrate all recognized teachers in a variety of ways. Your nominations will also be published on honoredschools.org so that other people can read about all of the inspiring teachers at your school. Who knows, your teacher may become internet famous!