Making it Happen for Educational Technology Leaders

Making It Happen is a nationally recognized awards program brought to us by ISTE (The International Society for Technology in Education) for educators in the field of educational technology integration in K-12 schools. The program highlights the dramatic role that educators play in the learning process through quality technology in the classroom. Designed for educators, the program identifies educational technology leaders around the country and rewards them for their commitment and innovation.

Making It Happen focuses on current practitioners, highlighting their significant contributions and encouraging them to continue their work. Successful integration of educational technology requires a common passion, initiative, and belief in the eight components of the Making It Happen Formula of Success. Included in these criteria are the application of available technology; moving forward and not looking back; viewing students as real people; teaching through relationships that inspire, encourage, and nurture; recognizing that further change is necessary and that it is a process; realizing that teacher empowerment is the key element to technology integration; expecting success; and motivating through awareness and access to information.

To date, more than 235 outstanding educators have been honored with the coveted pink jacket (black for men). Making It Happen recipients join a prestigious group that includes classroom teachers, school principals, district superintendents, state superintendents, the director of education technology at the U.S. Department of Education (John Bailey), governors, and former Secretary of Education Richard Riley. Past NCCE recipients include Anne Allen, Jean Bengfort, Bill Davis, Becky Firth, Bob Hughes, Ryan LeClaire, Anita McAnear, Rich Mincer, Louis Nagel, Heidi Rogers, Wayne Rush, Dennis Small, and Georgia Talbert.