Awards
DLAC has the opportunity to work with amazing leaders and organizations around the world.
We are excited to recognize the incredible effort they have undertaken to implement innovative ideas and the critical contributions they have made to advancing the field.
Our annual Awards honor individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a significant impact in key areas of K-12 digital learning during the past calendar year or for a body of work over a significant period of time.
Award recipients are recognized at our annual conference, DLAC Ignite.
*There may not be an award recipient in every category annually.
Recipients of the DLAC awards will win:
- An engraved award acknowledging the recipient’s outstanding achievement.
- A one-year standard individual DLAC membership
- A complimentary registration to the following year's annual conference, DLAC Ignite
- Recognition at the current year's annual conference, DLAC Ignite
- Recognition in DLAC publications and on the DLAC website
- Opportunities to contribute to the field (blog, webinar, other special volunteer opportunities)
Nomination Information
Nominations for this year must be submitted by July 31, 2026 and will be announced at the DLAC Ignite Conference in Atlanta, GA on October 19-21, 2026.
Award Descriptions
DLAC Individual Excellence in Digital Learning Award
The DLAC Individual Excellence in Digital Learning Award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to advancing K–12 digital learning over the past year.
This award honors innovative leaders, educators, and practitioners whose work has demonstrated meaningful impact on learners, educators, programs, or the broader field of digital learning.
Contributions may include the implementation of innovative practices, development of impactful programs or models, leadership in expanding access and opportunity, or the advancement of teaching and learning through digital approaches.
The nominee’s work should demonstrate clear vision, measurable impact, and the potential to influence or inspire the broader K–12 digital learning community.
DLAC Research Impact Award
The DLAC Research Impact Award recognizes research that has made a meaningful contribution to advancing K–12 digital learning practice, policy, or innovation over the past year.
This award honors researchers, practitioners, organizations, or students whose work demonstrates practical relevance and the potential to positively influence teaching, learning, leadership, student support, program design, or educational opportunity in digital learning environments.
Research submissions should demonstrate clear connections between research and practice, highlighting findings, strategies, or insights that can inform and improve the K–12 digital learning field.
The strongest nominations will demonstrate meaningful impact, accessibility to practitioners, and the potential to influence future practice, decision-making, or innovation across the broader K–12 digital learning community.
*Note: If you are nominating research you have used, but do not know the researchers, please fill in as much information as possible, and reach out to allison@deelac.com and we will do our best to find them.
Unsung Super Star Organization Award
The DLAC Unsung Super Star Organization Award recognizes a school, district, program, nonprofit, or organization that is making a meaningful impact in K–12 digital learning but may not yet be widely recognized across the field.
This award honors organizations that demonstrate innovation, collaboration, and a strong commitment to improving digital learning opportunities and experiences for students, educators, and communities.
Nominees may include schools, districts, statewide or regional programs, nonprofits, service organizations, or other educational organizations whose work has positively impacted learners and advanced digital learning over the past year.
The strongest nominations will highlight organizations that demonstrate measurable impact, thoughtful implementation, and a commitment to supporting high-quality digital learning experiences and opportunities.
DLAC Unsung Super Star Individual Award
The DLAC Unsung Super Star Individual Award recognizes an individual working in K–12 digital learning whose meaningful contributions often happen behind the scenes, but whose impact on learners, educators, programs, or school communities is significant.
This award honors educators, leaders, support staff, counselors, instructional designers, technology staff, paraprofessionals, and other professionals who demonstrate dedication, innovation, collaboration, and a strong commitment to supporting high-quality digital learning experiences.
Nominees may work in any role connected to K–12 digital learning and should demonstrate meaningful contributions that have positively impacted students, educators, programs, or organizational effectiveness over the past year.
The strongest nominations will highlight individuals whose work has made a lasting difference within their organization or community, even if they are not widely recognized across the field.
Spirit of DLAC Award
The Spirit of DLAC Award recognizes an individual who embodies the collaborative, supportive, and community-centered spirit of DLAC.
This award honors attendees who consistently contribute to the DLAC community through relationship-building, mentorship, collaboration, encouragement, and service to others in the K–12 digital learning field.
Nominees are individuals who actively support and uplift others, create meaningful connections within the community, and contribute to making DLAC a welcoming and impactful experience for attendees.
The strongest nominations will highlight individuals whose actions, leadership, generosity, and community involvement have positively influenced others both professionally and personally.
Nominees should have attended a previous DLAC event and be active contributors to the broader DLAC community.
*Nominators must be in attendance at DLAC 2026 during the Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 in Atlanta to present the winner.
2025 Award Winners
