2026 Leader in Excellence Award

Pioneers. Trendsetters. Forward thinkers.

It’s our honor to honor you.

We’re celebrating the people and districts that go above and beyond with their Skyward expertise — the changemakers, innovators, and everyday heroes transforming education one click at a time.

Think of the teammate who’s always solving problems with flair, or the district that’s turned Skyward into a launchpad for big ideas. If they’re using Skyward to make a meaningful difference in K–12 education, we want to hear about them!

Help us honor these Skyward superheroes and super-districts with the 2026 Leader in Excellence Award. Your nomination is the applause they deserve!

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
For the individual award: Current employees of districts that used Skyward in the 2024–25 school year are invited to nominate another member of their district.

For the district award: Any district that used Skyward in the 2024–25 school year is invited to enter.

THE GRAND PRIZE?
Both individual and district winners will receive:

Free registration to iCon 2026, Skyward’s premier international conference.
February 25–27, 2026 | St. Pete Beach, Florida
Recognition during a special awards ceremony at the conference.

DEADLINE
Mark your calendars — the deadline for entries is August 22, 2025. We’ll roll out the red carpet to announce the winners in early 2026.

Good luck, and thank you for helping us celebrate the brilliance across our Skyward community!

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS

2025 Individual Winners

Bill Young Executive Director of Information Services

SMS 2.0

"Bill Young is a key leader in Grand Prairie ISD’s use of Skyward SMS 2.0, driving significant improvements in data management, enrollment processes, and overall efficiency. As the district’s PEIMS expert, he ensures compliance with Texas Education Agency (TEA) accountability and federal funding requirements by working closely with principals."

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Mark McKenzie Director of Internal Accounts and Systems

SMS 2.0

"For over a decade, Mark McKenzie has been the secret weapon behind Allentown School District’s success with SMS 2.0. As the district’s Skyward expert, he’s not just solving problems — he’s elevating his entire team’s ability to make smarter, more efficient decisions."

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Liz Martinez Director of Student Information Systems

Qmlativ

"Liz Martinez has been a pivotal leader in maximizing Skyward’s impact at YES Prep. As the district’s first Director of SIS, Liz has overseen key advancements, including the implementation of Qmlativ during the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced online forms, wellness tracking, and improved data accessibility for families."

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Matt Cooper Business Analyst

Qmlativ

"With a focus on efficiency and innovation, Matt Cooper has been instrumental in optimizing Prosper ISD’s use of Qmlativ. One of his notable achievements was redesigning the process for reporting and approving missed time punches by incorporating an online form and dashboard tiles, which sped up the process and eliminated inefficiencies."

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Samantha Hennig Accountant III

Qmlativ

"Samantha Hennig, a Business Manager for Region 12, has played a key role in enhancing one district in the region, Mart ISD’s, operations by capitalizing on Qmlativ’s capabilities. Through targeted training and ongoing support, she has significantly improved staff proficiency with the solution, reducing errors and streamlining administrative tasks."

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2025 District Winners

Cornwall-Lebanon School District

SMS 2.0

"A dedicated user since 2009, Cornwall-Lebanon School District has harnessed SMS 2.0 to enhance data accuracy, streamline staff onboarding, and automate key processes."

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Woodstock Community Unit School District #200

Qmlativ

"In the words of Woodstock Community Unit School District #200, Skyward has been nothing short of revolutionary. Since adopting Qmlativ in early 2023, D200 has tackled significant business office challenges in a short time, delivering impressive results that speak volumes about their commitment to efficiency and innovation. "

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Consolidated High School District 230

SMS 2.0 to Qmlativ

"Migrating to a new system is never easy, but Consolidated High School District 230 (D230) navigated the transition from SMS 2.0 to Qmlativ with impressive success, ensuring that leadership remained fully engaged throughout the process."

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Previous Winners

Andrew Thumma
Database administrator

2024

Qmlativ