LITERACY CHAMPIONS

The Science of Reading Star Awards

Making the shift to the Science of Reading is no small feat. Every day, educators like you are successfully improving student outcomes in schools and communities, and we’re eager to celebrate your accomplishments with the Science of Reading Star Awards.

We are accepting nominations through Feb. 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Submit your nomination
A blue award plaque labeled "2026 Winner" is surrounded by colorful speech bubbles with a thumbs up and heart icon, decorative stars, and highlights achievements in the science of reading.

Get excited for the prizes!

Exceptional accomplishments deserve to be rewarded.

All award winners will receive:

  • Honorary Amplify Ambassadorship.
  • Amplification on our website and social media.
  • A Science of Reading starter library.
  • Enrollment in Science of Reading: The Learning Lab for each winner and a friend.
  • Tons of swag!

The grand prize winners in the District and School categories will receive access to an exclusive library of professional development resources. The grand prize winner in the Individual category will be given full conference registration and associated travel costs to The Annual Conference of The Reading League.

Recognizing leaders in education

Learning to read is nothing short of a transformation—and at the heart of this transformation are literacy educators harnessing the Science of Reading to ignite lifelong learning.

Science of Reading Star Award winners shine bright, going above and beyond to light the path for students nationwide. Be part of the celebration—help us recognize these heroes!

A woman with long dark hair, wearing a blazer and white top, smiles at the camera against a dark background, embodying confidence and expertise in the science of reading.
“Receiving this award is really an honor. It’s an amazing feeling to be recognized for work that I care so deeply about. At the same time I have to dedicate this award to the amazing educators that I work with, and the supportive administrators that we’ve had along the way.”

—Reena Mathew, Literacy Coach

Suffern Central School District, NY

An award category for everyone!

White icon of a school building with a clock on an orange, flag-shaped background, representing dedication to the science of reading.

District:
The District Captain

This award honors a district that exemplifies strong Science of Reading practices across the board.

A blue rectangular banner with a curled top-right corner displays a white book icon with horizontal lines, symbolizing the science of reading.

School:
The Literacy Legend

This award honors a school that has seen significant reading gains among their students school-wide when using the Science of Reading.

Yellow rectangular icon with a folded top-right corner and a white brain graphic in the center, representing the science of reading, set against a light gray background.

Individual:
The Background Knowledge Builder

This award is for showing the world that the Science of Reading empowers students with knowledge, context, and vocabulary from elementary through middle school.

A yellow, rectangular flag icon with a white graphic of a person wearing a helmet and holding a device, resembling an astronaut or robot—symbolizing exploration much like the science of reading uncovers new frontiers in literacy.

Individual:
The Changemaker

This award is for showcasing exemplary Science of Reading routines and practices, and serving as an inspiration to others on the journey.

An orange flag-shaped icon with a white pencil and ruler crossed in the center, symbolizing design or editing tools inspired by the science of reading.

Individual:
The Comprehension Champion

This award is for fostering deep understanding and critical thinking by expertly guiding students to make meaning from complex texts, ask thoughtful questions, and connect reading to their world and experiences.

A blue document icon with a white upward-trending line graph in the center, suggesting data analysis or statistics related to the science of reading.

Individual:
The Data Dynamo

This award is for expertly using data to drive instruction within an MTSS framework, identifying student needs with precision, and implementing targeted interventions that accelerate literacy growth for every learner.

Blue flag-shaped icon with two overlapping white speech bubbles in the center, representing communication or conversation, ideal for topics like the science of reading.

Individual:
The Language Luminary

This award is for outstanding success in developing the skills and strengths of emergent bilingual students and multilingual/English learners.

A yellow vertical banner with a white rocket icon in the center, a folded top-right corner, and subtle nods to the science of reading.

Individual:
The Science of Reading Rookie

This award is for a teacher in their first three years of teaching, already making strides with the Science of Reading.

An orange rectangular icon with a folded top-right corner, featuring a white fountain pen nib symbol in the center, representing tools used in the science of reading.

Individual:
The Writing Whiz

This award is for integrating writing instruction with the Science of Reading, cultivating articulate and confident writers through innovative and effective practices.

A person with wavy, shoulder-length blonde hair smiles at the camera outdoors, wearing a black top, black jacket, and a round pendant necklace. Greenery is blurred in the background, hinting at a relaxed moment away from studying the science of reading.
“I’ve been teaching for 17 years, so getting this award after starting to integrate the Science of Reading really validated what I was doing, solidified it in my classroom, and made me realize that I was doing the right thing after all.”

—Jennifer Dove, Grade 3 Teacher

Rockingham County, Virginia

Submit a nomination to the Science of Reading Star Awards!

Entry is quick and simple—just provide the required information and an overview of the nominee you think deserves recognition.

Submit now
  • You may submit multiple entries, but please nominate for only one category at a time.
  • Your submission can include an overview of the educator, school, or district’s journey with the Science of Reading; how they overcame challenges; how they are empowering their students with the Science of Reading; how they implemented strong Science of Reading practices; and/or what results they are seeing.
  • The more specific you can be in your submission, the better! If data is a big part of your story, we’d love to hear about it.
  • As part of your entry, you agree to allow us to contact you about the details of your application.
  • A member of the team will be in contact by March 2026 if you are short-listed as a finalist.