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!

2026 Individual Winners

Kathy Reed Data Steward

SMS 2.0

"Netting 13 LIE nominations from staff members in her district, Kathy Reed proves to be the backbone of Mt. Vernon’s data operations, and the ultimate Skyward expert. Her mastery of the system has transformed how her colleagues work, from streamlining day-to-day operations, reducing errors, and improving efficiency across every department. "

Play the video View details

Rick Seybold Director of Technology & District Assessment Coordinator

SMS 2.0

"Rick Seybold has been a true cornerstone of the Grafton School District for the past 25 years. Not only has he combined unmatched technical expertise with a servant-leader mindset, but his mastery of Skyward is legendary. He’s taken the SMS 2.0 SIS and turned it into a powerful, integrated hub that drives efficiency, accuracy, and innovation."

Play the video View details

Holly Stewart Senior Data Administrator

Qmlativ

"Holly has greatly expanded staff understanding of Skyward by working directly with employees across every department. She answers questions thoroughly, resolves issues, and teaches efficient processes. When she notices someone struggling, she steps in to demonstrate smarter methods."

Play the video View details

Sean Schaeffer Information Systems Manager

Qmlativ

"Sean has become the district’s go-to expert for Report Designer, creating custom reports that meet complex needs with precision. He approaches every request as an opportunity to solve challenges, like recently delivering an Employment Verification report for HR that dramatically reduced staff time and effort. Sean is a strong advocate for district-wide Qmlativ training and never hesitates to pause his own work to assist others."

Play the video View details

Theresa McConnell Director of Technology

Qmlativ

"Theresa McConnell has made an incredible impact on Mohawk Area School District. When she saw an opportunity to improve how the system analyzes student data, she took the lead, researching Skyward’s District Pulse solution and sharing her findings with the leadership team. "

Play the video View details

2026 District Winners

Liberty-Eylau ISD
Texarkana, TX

SMS 2.0

"For nearly 20 years, Liberty-Eylau ISD has found Skyward’s SMS 2.0 solution to be a very effective tool for processing the district’s accounting, HR, payroll, and budgeting operations, unlike other providers in Texas in the years past. Skyward’s efficiency has been unmatched."

Play the video View details

New Trier High School District 203
Winnetka, IL

SMS 2.0 to Qmlativ

"As they worked through the migration process, New Trier discovered that Qmlativ was an integral tool for retrieving and accessing data quickly, simplifying the user experience, and freeing up time due to ease of access for all users."

2026 Leader in Excellence Award

2026 Individual Winners

2026 District Winners

Previous Winners