FIRST® educators around the world are shaping the future: one lesson, experiment, and mentoring moment at a time. Through their dedication, they transform classrooms into catalysts for the next generation of innovators, problem solvers, and changemakers. In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, we asked the 2026 cohort of the Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program to share what being a FIRST educator means to them. Read on to hear their powerful and inspiring words.
Mary Ure – Grades K-5 Honoree
“Every year, I see new students awaken their curiosity and ignite their thirst to learn about STEM in exploring FIRST. In turn, I find a new energy permeating my lessons as I guide my students to discover the world around them.”
Nicole Crane – Grades K-5 Honoree
“As a FIRST educator, being part of the program means helping create meaningful opportunities for students to think critically and collaborate on complex challenges. The FIRST Core Values help students build confidence, support one another, and develop skills that will benefit their future. FIRST inspires students to see themselves as capable thinkers and collaborators who can make a difference.”
Alisia Davis – Grades 6-8 Honoree
“Being a FIRST educator means watching students transform from hesitant beginners into confident problem-solvers, engineers, and leaders. It is not about having all the answers, but about being willing to explore, experiment, and learn right alongside them. FIRST is not just robotics; it is a launchpad for confidence, curiosity, and futures our students may not have imagined for themselves.”
Neeraj Agnihotri – Grades 6-8 Honoree
“As an immigrant teacher, FIRST has changed my vision of what education can look like for students from all backgrounds. Robotics and engineering give my students the opportunity to collaborate, think critically, and believe in their ability to create and innovate. Seeing that growth in my students has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey as an educator.”
Sarah Van Loo – Grades 6-8 Honoree
“I love being a FIRST educator! I get to see firsthand what it looks like when students are empowered to solve problems, work as a team, learn new skills, and help each other. The struggles, celebrations, and friendships make it so worthwhile!”
Tina Gleason – Grades 6-8 Honoree
“The excitement that the FIRST program brings to my students and my school is amazing. The students are so engaged and love to share what they are learning with others. They are motivated to always learn more and be better coders, designers, and engineers.”
Mark Case – Grades 9-12 Honoree
“FIRST means discovery. Kids learn from making mistakes and celebrating them. It warms my heart when a student did not succeed and works out the issue and tries again and again until they succeed. FIRST allows this to happen.”
Matthew Cain – Grades 9-12 Honoree
“As an educator, there is no other program that I have seen have a greater impact on student lives than FIRST. It provides unmatched opportunities for students and communities to engage in a world class program that centers students and provides them with learning that will benefit them their whole lives. It is so much more than robots!”
Matthew Riney – Grades 9-12 Honoree
“Being a FIRST educator means being part of a program that is about far more than just building robots. FIRST uses robotics as the medium to help students grow into problem-solvers, teammates, and good people who care about their communities. In all my years of teaching, I have never seen students learn more—both technically and personally—than they do through the FIRST experience. I am proud to be the Lead Mentor of a FIRST® Robotics Competition team.”
Wenny Lin – Grades 9-12 Honoree
“I am honored to be part of FIRST and to provide my students with opportunities to explore STEM in ways they might not otherwise. Through our robotics team, we expand awareness of STEM within our school community where students gain hands-on experience while developing teamwork skills and learning about careers in engineering and technology. I am proud to be part of a school that supports the learning and exploration of robotics through FIRST.”
Lina Ezzeddin Adel Hassan – International Honoree
“Being a FIRST educator means inspiring the next generation of innovators to believe in their ideas and use STEM to solve real-world challenges. Through FIRST programs, I have witnessed students grow in confidence, creativity, and teamwork. It is incredibly rewarding to see young minds discover that they have the power to shape the future.”
Fatima-Zahra Benyaaqoub – International Honoree
“Being a FIRST educator means building a bridge between technology and humanity, providing every student a space where they feel empowered to create, test, and succeed.”
Check out our full 2026 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program cohort.
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Meet our past cohort members: 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022