Lee Bryant Outstanding Teacher of the Year Recipients

2024

2023

Ed Finney
Technology Integration Specialist
Schodack CSD

Marina Lombardo Pisto
Elementary Teacher Grade 3
Pocantico Hills CSD

David Czechowski
HS Computer Teacher
​John Jay Sr. High School; Hyde Park CSD

2022

Jamie Stutzman          
​ Virtual Elementary Teacher        Capital Region BOCES/NERIC - Cooperative Virtual Learning Academy

2021

Dana Gaska                
Mandarin Chinese Teacher        Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES

2020

2019

Amanda Pacanowski        Grade 8 Math Teacher            Fredonia Central Middle School

Kacie Sandbrook            
Grade 6 Digital Literacy           Schalmont Central School District

2018

Andrew Nikola            
Grade 1 Teacher               Wappingers Falls Central School Distric

2017

Marvin Cadornigara        
​Middle School Science            New Explorations

2016

2015

Michael Drezek            
​Lake Shore Central SD

Kristina Hozweiss            
​Bay Shore Middle School

2014

Christopher Kauter        
​Deer Park UFSD
Mary Howard                
​Grand Island CSD

2013

Mark Hunt                
​Erie 1 BOCES

---

Outstanding Leader of the Year Recipients

2024

2023

Lisa Nielson
Executive Director of Technology
Division of Instructional and Informational Technology (DIIT)
New York City Public Schools

Tara Carrozza
Director, Digital Learning & Innovation (DLI)
New York City Public Schools

2022

Sarah Edwards            
​Director of Instructional Technology
​Buffalo Public Schools

2021

Susan Schnaufer            Educational Technologist            Salamanca CSD

2020

2019

Aaron Straus, M.ED       Coordinator of STEAM Education        
​Salamanca CSD

Arthur Schouten            Director of IT, Data, Assessment         
​Wappingers Central SD

2018

Mark Bennet              
​ High School Principal                Potsdam Central SD

2017

Rocco Varuolo                            Westbury Central Schools

2016

2015

Shelly O'Boyle                       Southwestern CSD

Darlene Rowsam            Technology Coordinator            Copenhagen CSD

2014

Janelle Rinker                             Dansville CSD

2013

Andrew Wheelock                       Erie 1 BOCES

2012

Jeremy Luft                               Ossining CSD

---

Superintendent of the Year Recipients

2024

2023

Dr. Edward Salina
Plainedge UFSD

Dr. Dwight Bonk
Wappingers CSD​

2022

Richard Calkins
​Pocantico Hills CSD

2020

Mr. Tom Piatti                           Richfield Springs CSD

2019

2018

Mr. Tom Piatti                       Richfield Springs CSD

Dr. Ralph Ferrie                        Sewanahake CSD

2017

Dr. Richard Hughes                   Central Valley SD

2016

Robert Horan                               Schodack Central SD

2015

2014

Dr. Paul Alioto                           Dansville CSD

Scott Connell                               Copenhagen CSD

---

Empire Award Winners

* Formerly the Making IT Happen Awards

2024

Laurie Yager

NYSCATE

Antonio Scordo

Erie 1 BOCES

Art Schouten

Wappingers CSD

Dodie Ainslee

Broome Tioga BOCES

2023

Lisa Blank

Director of STEM Program
​Watertown City School District

Paul Cardenttino

Coordinator Office of Education Design and Technology
​New York State Education Department

Mary Beth Guthrie

Learning Opportunities Coordinator
​NYSCATE

See This Year's Winners

---

Making It Happen Awards

We honor visionary educators and leaders who empower learners and solve tough problems in education.
​
ISTE, in collaboration with 60+ partner organizations, work together to identify and spotlight amazing education leaders through the Making It Happen awards program. Each year, participating organizations select educators who are making an enormous impact on their schools or communities. Making It Happen awardees receive the coveted Making It Happen jacket and free ISTE membership for a year.

Award recipients are educators who:

• Move forward and don't look back.
• See students as real people.
• Use technology in innovative ways to support learning goals.
• Teach through relationships - inspiring, encouraging and nurturing.
• Recognize that further change is necessary, but understand that it’s a process.
• Realize that teacher empowerment is key to transforming learning.
• Expect success.
• Motivate through awareness and access to information.

2024
Tim Needles
​
2018
Mark Giufre
Jonathan Redeker
Carmalita Seitz


2017
Michelle Okal
Peter Reilly


2016
2015
Sarah Martabano
Mike Sylofski
2014
Adam Bellow
Tricia Interrante
Lisa Nielsen
Stan Silverman
Tom Whitby


2013

​2012
Stephen Andrus
Amy Keesey


2011
Winnie Bracco
Sal DeAngelo


 
Prior to 2011
Celine Azoulay-Lewin
Deborah Baker
Patricia Carroll
Amy DelCorvo
Mark Gura
Edward Hallisey
Benjamin Higgins
Ellen Meier
Greg Partch
Harry Phillips
Paul Reese
Peggy Sheehy
Gwen Solomon