Year
2025
Award Winners
2026: Dr. Theresa Brown, Superintendent, Madison Consolidated Schools (IN)
2025: Dr. Karen Cheser, Durango School District (CO)
2024: Dr. Michael Nagler, Mineola UFSD (NY)
2023: Jim Roberts, Bartholomew Consolidated School District (IN)
2022: Matt Miller, Lakota Local Schools (OH)
2021: Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Dallas ISD (TX) and Dr. Jeff Stephens, Weber County Schools (UT)
2020: Dr. Aaron Spence, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VA)
2019: Dr. Mark Benigni, Meriden Public Schools (CT)
CoSN and AASA’s EmpowerED Digital Superintendent of the Year Award recognizes an exceptional district Superintendent who serves as a true empowered leader, leveraging and championing technologies in the classroom and throughout the district to transform their school district.
Thank you to our award sponsor, Classlink.
Eligibility
School district Superintendents of all types of schools—public, charter, private, parochial, or independent—are eligible for the CoSN Empowered Superintendent Award. Winners will be announced at the CoSN Annual Conference.
Nominate an exemplary Superintendent—or self-nominate. CoSN’s Awards committee will review all nominations and notify the winner in January. The winning Superintendent will then be publicly honored at the CoSN Annual Conference. In addition to our congratulations, the Superintendent receives complimentary conference registration, a $1,000 honorarium, and media coverage.
2026 Award Winner: CoSN/AASA EmpowerEd Digital Superintendent of the Year
Dr. Teresa Brown, Superintendent, Madison Consolidated Schools (IN)
Dr. Teresa Brown has significantly strengthened district leadership and student performance by integrating actionable data and future-ready technology into school operations. By implementing a districtwide data warehouse, she empowered leaders and teachers with real-time access to information for targeted, equitable interventions. This systemic coherence fueled measurable gains, including an 18% increase in IREAD proficiency and a 20% increase in graduation rates. Additionally, her pioneering adoption of K–12 AI tools and expansion of STEM pathways, such as robotics and computer science, have positioned the district as a state leader in instructional innovation and student success.
