Four education innovators transforming teaching and learning celebrated at the 2025 Harold W McGraw Prize
Four education leaders have been named winners of the 2025 McGraw Prize, each receiving an award of $50,000.
The Harold W. McGraw Prize in Education aims to recognise innovation, inspiration, and impact in education by highlighting the work of outstanding individuals.
In the pre-K-12 category, Rapelang Rabana & Joe Wolf, Co-CEOs at Imagine Worldwide, were recognised for their scalable, solar-powered, offline tablets aimed at improving literacy and numeracy for marginalized communities.
In the higher education category, Dr Cathy Davidson, Distinguished Professor at CUNY Graduate Centre, was awarded the prize for her efforts to reimagine higher education through digital literacy and student-centred learning.
In the lifelong learning category, Dr Frederick Bertley, President and CEO at COSI, was awarded the prize for transforming a regional science centre into a global leader in STEM education, now reaching more than a million learners each year with exhibits, outreach, and media.
“This year’s class of McGraw Prize winners combines highly innovative approaches to learning with results that transform lives,” comments Harold McGraw III, Former Chairman and CEO of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
“They meet the highest standards of educational excellence and are a tribute to my father’s dedication to literacy and educational opportunity.”
“The McGraw Prize honors those who push the boundaries of what’s possible in education,” adds L. Michael Golden, Vice Dean of Innovative Programs & Partnerships at Penn GSE. “This year’s winners are true innovators — leaders who are rethinking how learning happens, redefining who gets to learn, and creating solutions that will shape the future for generations to come.”
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The EdTech Innovation Hub Awards celebrate excellence in global education technology, with a particular focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions across all stages of education.
Now open for entries, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 recognize the companies, platforms, and individuals driving transformation in the sector, from AI-driven assessment tools and personalized learning systems, to upskilling solutions and digital platforms that connect learners with real-world outcomes.
Submissions are open to organizations across the UK, the Americas, and internationally. Entries should highlight measurable impact, whether in K–12 classrooms, higher education institutions, or lifelong learning settings.
Winners will be announced on 14 January 2026 as part of an online showcase featuring expert commentary on emerging trends and standout innovation. All winners and finalists will also be featured in our first print magazine, to be distributed at BETT 2026.
