Chicago, IL (April 14, 2026) — CoSN — The Consortium for School Networking, a premier association of K-12 education technology leaders, today honored Robin Gunter, executive director of instructional technology at Richardson Independent School District in Texas, with its 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award. The award recognizes the achievements of a CoSN member who has provided exemplary support to the organization over the past year.

Gunter’s volunteer service has included leadership roles across several CoSN committees, including the Student Data Privacy Committee, the Awards Committee, and the Certification Governance Committee, where she currently serves as chair. In this role, Gunter has been instrumental in evaluating and improving customer service for the Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL®) program. Under her leadership, the program introduced two new experiential pathways to access the exam and is preparing to launch a new exam in late 2026.

“I am honored to receive this recognition from CoSN. The personal and professional return on investment to a professional organization, like CoSN, cannot be measured,” said Robin Gunter, Executive Director of Instructional Technology at Richardson Independent School District. “Every ‘volunteer’ opportunity provides me with connections and learning that I cannot receive elsewhere. It feels a bit surreal to be recognized, given how much I continue to learn and grow through my work with CoSN.”

“CoSN’s success depends on the time and expertise our members are generous enough to give,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “Robin’s service has helped shape critical aspects of our work — from student data privacy to the evolution of the CETL® program — in ways that will benefit education technology leaders well beyond this year.”

The award was presented during CoSN’s annual conference, “Building What’s Next, Together,” which kicked off on Monday, April 13. The conference focused on advancing the knowledge and skills of K-12 education technology leaders — including CIOs/CTOs, superintendents, and solution providers — while addressing key topics such as cybersecurity, student data privacy, and the use of generative AI in schools to support safe and effective practices within the K-12 system.

Learn more about the CoSN2026 awards at: cosn.org/about/awards/.

About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 education technology leaders, stands at the forefront of education innovation. We are driven by a mission to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their teams, and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Our vision is rooted in a future where every learner reaches their unique potential, guided by our community. CoSN represents over 13 million students and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. www.cosn.org/

About Richardson Independent School District
Richardson Independent School District (RISD) serves all students with a strong commitment to academic excellence and student growth. Focused on its North Star Goal for every student, teacher, and leader to meet or exceed their academic growth goals, RISD provides innovative learning opportunities through comprehensive academic programs, including magnet and career-focused pathways. RISD’s focus on achievement, innovation, and whole-child development prepares students for success in college, careers, and life. web.risd.org