--- title: "Meet the 2026 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program Honorees" description: Celebrate the 2026 Inspire the Future honorees, educators, and schools transforming STEM education and empowering students worldwide. Join us in recognizing their impact. image: https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/education-and-school-engagement/Inspire%20the%20Future/inspire-the-future-web-banner.png --- As we prepare the next generation for a STEM-driven future, *FIRST*® believes the greatest impact starts with educators. Every day, they inspire curiosity, build confidence, and open doors students may have never imagined, transforming learning into a journey of possibility. This Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re honored to celebrate a new cohort of educators and schools recognized in the 2026 Inspire the Future: *FIRST* Recognition Program. Nominated by the global *FIRST *community, these dedicated individuals and learning institutions are providing *STEM For Everyone*™ and empowering students to discover their potential.** Join us in celebrating their impact on social media using #InspireTheFuture. ## **2026 Educator Honorees** 🍎 Mary Ure from Paola, Kansas (Grades K-5) 🍎 Nicole Crane from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (Grades K-5) 🍎 Alisia Davis from Columbus, Ohio (Grades 6-8) 🍎 Neeraj Agnihotri from Renton, Washington (Grades 6-8) 🍎 Sarah VanLoo from Ann Arbor, Michigan (Grades 6-8) 🍎 Tina Gleason from Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Grades 6-8) 🍎 Mark Case from Greensboro, North Carolina (Grades 9-12) 🍎 Matthew Cain from West Branch, Iowa (Grades 9-12) 🍎 Matthew Riney from Washington, Indiana (Grades 9-12) 🍎 Wenny Lin from Tujunga, California (Grades 9-12) 🍎 Craig Bond from Canada 🍎 Fatima-Zahra Benyaaqoub from Morocco 🍎 Guillermo Sadot Silva Cedeño from Mexico 🍎 Lina Hassan from Saudi Arabia 🍎 Melahat Buladı from Türkiye ## **2026 School Honorees** ✏️ Bedford Academy in Bedford, New Hampshire (Grades K-6) ✏️ Cannon Junior High School in Las Vegas, Nevads (Grades 6-8) ✏️ George J Ryan Middle School 216 in Fresh Meadows, New York (Grades 6-8) ✏️ Meadow Glen Middle School in Lexington, South Carolina (Grades 6-8) ✏️ East Kentwood High School in Kentwood, Michigan (Grades 10-12) ✏️ Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon (Grades 9-12) **✏️ **Kalani High School in Honolulu, Hawaii (Grades 9-12) ✏️ Lutheran High School of San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas (Grades 9-12) **✏️ **Naperville North High School in Naperville, Illinois (Grades 9-12) ✏️ West Branch Community Schools in Branch, Iowa (Grades 9-12) ✏️ ACI Schools in Türkiye ✏️ PrepaTec Campus Querétaro in Mexico ✏️ SESI 411 in Brazil ✏️ STEM Innovation Academy in Canada ✏️ St. Peters Lutheran College in Australia Follow *FIRST *on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/first_2), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FIRSTOfficial), and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/first_official_/) for more to celebrate our honorees! Meet our past cohort members: [2025](https://community.firstinspires.org/meet-the-2025-inspire-the-future-first-recognition-program-honorees) | [2024](https://community.firstinspires.org/meet-the-2024-inspire-the-future-first-recognition-program-honorees) | [2023](https://community.firstinspires.org/meet-the-2023-inspire-the-future-first-educators-recognition-program-honorees) | [2022](https://community.firstinspires.org/2022-inspire-the-future-first-educators-recognition-program-honorees) ** [STEM for Everyone](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/stem-for-everyone), [Featured](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/featured), [Educators](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/educators) #### Share it: [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://community.firstinspires.org/meet-the-2026-inspire-the-future-first-recognition-program-honorees) [** ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://community.firstinspires.org/meet-the-2026-inspire-the-future-first-recognition-program-honorees) [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://community.firstinspires.org/meet-the-2026-inspire-the-future-first-recognition-program-honorees) ![Default Author Image](https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Community%20Blog%20v2/images/FIRST-author-icon.svg) Author [FIRST Staff](https://community.firstinspires.org/author/first) These blog posts have been contributed by members of *FIRST* staff. *FIRST* is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Manchester, N.H. ### Related Posts ** [STEM for Everyone](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/stem-for-everyone), [Featured](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/featured), [Educators](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/educators) In Their Own Words: FIRST Educators are Inspiring the Next Generation May 6, 2026 ** [Volunteers](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/volunteers), [#PeopleofSTEAM](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/peopleofsteam) Meet the 2023 Inspire the Future: FIRST Educators Recognition Program Honorees May 8, 2023 ** [Educators](https://community.firstinspires.org/topic/educators) 2022 Inspire the Future: FIRST Educators Recognition Program Honorees May 2, 2022 ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1200203950045814&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&noscript=1) ![](https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2615041699514&event=PageVisit&noscript=1)