2026 OKATE “Making IT Happen” Award

Click HERE to apply!

Purpose: This award honors an outstanding educator from an OKATE member district who demonstrates visionary leadership and excellence in Integrating Technology (IT) into the classroom. We seek to recognize a teacher who transforms the learning process, creating innovative digital experiences for their students and colleagues.

Deadline: Tuesday, September 11, 2026, by midnight.

Award: Award recipient will be announced at the OKATE 2026 conference in Tulsa on November 5. This person will receive a plaque and statewide recognition.

Section 1: Nominee Profile

• Nominee Name
• Nominee Email Address
• School District (Member District)
• Current Grade Level & Subject

Section 2: Evidence of Excellence

The nominee must demonstrate a consistent commitment to modeling and applying the ISTE Standards for Educators. This section requires detailed evidence of how the nominee designs, implements, and assesses digital learning experiences. For each of the following four roles—Collaborator, Designer, Facilitator, and Analyst—please provide specific, actionable examples and classroom artifacts that illustrate the nominee’s proficiency and impact on student learning.

• The Collaborator (Standard 2.4)
• The Designer (Standard 2.5)
• The Facilitator (Standard 2.6)
• The Analyst (Standard 2.7)

Section 3: Supporting Documentation

To assist the scoring committee, please upload documentation that provides a clear picture of the nominee’s "classroom in action." These artifacts should directly support the claims made in the previous section regarding the ISTE Standards for Educators. Use these prompts to help write your justifications: 

• 2.4 Collaborator: How did this artifact involve working with colleagues or students to solve a problem or share a resource?
• 2.5 Designer: How does this show you creating learner-driven activities that accommodate different student needs?
• 2.6 Facilitator: How does this demonstrate students using technology to take ownership of their own learning? 
• 2.7 Analyst: How did you use the data from this artifact to change your teaching or help students reach a goal?

Section 4: Colleague/Administrator Recommendation

Please provide the contact information for one supervisor or colleague who can speak to your exemplary use of technology.

• Reference Name
• Reference Position
• Reference Email

Section 5: Certification and Attestation

• Applicant Agreement
• Media Release
• Signature

Questions? Contact the OKATE Nominations Committee at nominations@okate.org.