2025 Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence announced

October 7, 2024

The NEA Foundation announced the five winners of its Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence, sponsored by the Horace Mann Educators Foundation. The award is one of public education’s highest honors.

The 2025 awardees are:

• Jacqueline Brown, a high school business and technology educator at Okolona High School in Okolona, Mississippi, nominated by the Mississippi Association of Educators.
• Matthew Hamilton, a sixth and seventh grade social studies educator at East Jordan Public Schools, in East Jordan, Michigan, nominated by the Michigan Education Association.
• Reva Lobatos, a second grade educator at Fremont County School District #25 in Riverton, Wyoming, nominated by the Wyoming Education Association.
• Joe Nappi, a high school and university social studies educator at Monmouth Regional High School in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, nominated by the New Jersey Education Association.
• Maribel Vilchez, a third grade educator at Lydia Hawk Elementary School in Lacey, Washington, nominated by the Washington Education Association.
• An expert panel evaluates and selects awardees based on their exceptional skill in the classroom, attention to equity and diversity, engagement of families and communities, commitment to ongoing professional development, and advocacy for the profession. They will be honored at The NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education celebration next year.

“The educators receiving the Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence embody the commitment to helping every child reach their full potential,” said Marita Zuraitis, president of the Horace Mann Educators Foundation Board of Directors. “As a steadfast supporter of public education, The Horace Mann Educators Foundation is deeply honored to celebrate these educators for their commitments to their students and communities.”