Kentucky Association for School Technology

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Awards

KAST works to celebrate incredible individuals that go above and beyond to advance education through technology by presenting several awards each year.  These individuals best represent the ideals of KAST.

Nominations for our 2026 Awards open November 3rd – December 15th (11:59:59pm). All of these awards are presented at the March conference.

Visit the link, below, for details about qualifications for each award and to access the nomination form.
2026 Nomination Form

  • The nominee is a PK – 12 teacher as defined as: It is the intent of the KAST Outstanding Teacher Award to recognize those persons currently responsible for the day-to-day instruction of PK–12 students, regardless of subject matter. There is an assumption that under this scenario, there will be an articulated curriculum and some type of assessment of learning. Therefore, nominees for this award may also include such individuals as library media specialists, technology integration specialists, etc. for it is the duties and responsibilities of one’s job that define one’s role, rather than one’s title.
  • The nominee’s work has had a significant positive impact on technology use in the nominee’s educational community (whether that’s locally, regionally, statewide, nationally, or worldwide).
  • The nominee has demonstrated his/her ability to both deliberately plan for and incorporate the use of technology for the purpose of improving the educational setting.
  • The nominee continuously improves his or her professional practice through the exploration of creative applications for technology and the consistent evaluation and reflection of current research and practices to improve student learning.
  • The nominee promotes the effective use of digital tools across local and global learning communities and applies current research and professional practices to support effective use in student learning.
  • The nominee exhibits leadership in his or her school and/or professional community with a vision of technology infusion and by participating in shared decision making and community building that contribute to the vitality and self-renewal of the teaching profession, their school and their community.
  • The nominee’s work has positively impacted the nominee’s school and/or community.
  • The nominee’s work reflects KAST’s vision to empower learners to flourish in a connected world by cultivating a passionate learning community; linking educators and partners; leveraging knowledge and expertise; advocating for strategic policies; and continually improving learning and teaching.
  • The nominee is not a PK – 12 teacher as defined as: It is the intent of the KAST Impact Leader Nomination Award to recognize those persons not currently responsible for the day-to-day instruction of PK-12 students. Therefore, nominees may also include such individuals as technology integration specialists, directors, etc. if more than 25 percent of one’s responsibilities to include the direct instruction of PK-12 students, then the applicant would be disqualified.
  • The nominee’s work has had a significant positive impact on technology use in the nominee’s educational community, whether that’s locally, regionally, statewide, nationally or worldwide.
  • The nominee has made efforts to involve the community and business/legislative institutions through partnerships and collaboration in the initiative or program to support and fund the use of digital resources.
  • The nominee has demonstrated his or her ability to develop a systemic plan aligned with shared vision for school effectiveness and student learning through the infusion of digital resources.
  • The nominee continuously improves his or her professional practice through the promotion of technology-related professional learning plans and opportunities, and exhibits leadership in his or her school and/or professional community by engaging in an ongoing process to develop, implement and communicate plans for the effective use of digital tools and resources.
  • The nominee has contributed to the profession by presenting at professional conferences, seminars, and/or workshops or by publishing articles in print or through electronic media.
  • The nominee’s work has positively impacted the nominee’s school and/or community.
  • The nominee’s work reflects KAST’s vision to empower learners to flourish in a connected world by cultivating a passionate learning community; linking educators and partners; leveraging knowledge and expertise; advocating for strategic policies; and continually improving learning and teaching.
  • The nominee is a technology support staff member or team and would not qualify for the teacher award or leader award.
  • The nominee’s work has had a significant positive impact on technology use in education locally, regionally, statewide, nationally, or worldwide.
  • The nominee’s work can be used as a model.
  • The nominee works tirelessly to genuinely improve the quality of education.
  • The nominee has demonstrated his/her/their ability to both deliberately plan for and incorporate in the use of technology for the purpose of improving the educational setting.
  • The quality of technology use and availability has been materially improved in the nominee’s workplace.
  • The nominee is an active member of professional organizations.
  • The nominee has contributed to the profession by presenting at professional conferences, seminars and/or workshops or publishing articles in print or through electronic media.

**This nomination can be either an individual or a technical support team.