NEA Foundation names 43 educators for 2027 Travelers Awards

The NEA Foundation has selected 43 public school educators nationwide for the 2027 Travelers Awards for Teaching Excellence. The honorees will be recognized at a February 2027 gala in Washington, D.C., with top prizes including a $25,000 award and short documentary features.

Why it matters: - The awards recognize educators whose work can affect classroom learning, school leadership, and student opportunity across public education. - Five honorees will receive the Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence, each with a $10,000 prize and a short original documentary. - One educator will receive the NEA Member Benefits Award, the top honor in public education, with a $25,000 prize.

What happened: - The NEA Foundation announced 43 public school educators from across the country as recipients of the 2027 Travelers Awards for Teaching Excellence. - The honorees work in urban, rural, and suburban public schools. - The selection recognizes classroom excellence, leadership in the teaching profession, community engagement, and a commitment to expanding opportunities for students through public education. - The awards will be celebrated at the 2027 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala on Feb. 12, 2027, at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.

The details: - The NEA Foundation has honored hundreds of educators nationwide with the Awards for Teaching Excellence since 2001. - Travelers supports the national awards program. - Sara A. Sneed, president and CEO of The NEA Foundation, said public education is the foundation of democracy and that the honorees reflect creativity, care and commitment to equity. - Len Mariani, senior vice president of Direct Distribution for Travelers, said educators do more than teach and that Travelers is proud to partner with The NEA Foundation. - The NEA Foundation is asking supporters to donate to the awards program at neafoundation.org/donate. - The foundation is also directing readers to its website to sign up for email updates.

Between the lines: - The award list spans multiple community settings, signaling an effort to highlight excellence across different public school environments rather than in one type of district. - The documentary component and cash prizes add visibility and incentives beyond the recognition itself, which can help elevate educator work to a broader audience. - The partnership with Travelers gives the program corporate backing that may help sustain its national reach.

What's next: - The NEA Foundation will announce and honor the five Horace Mann Award recipients and the single NEA Member Benefits Award winner at the February gala. - The foundation will continue promoting the awards program and related educator opportunities through donations and email updates. - The 2027 gala will serve as the public celebration of the year’s honorees and their work in schools and communities.