The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator Awards Recognizes America’s Most Inspiring Educators

(Dearborn, Mich. – July 17, 2023) – Now more than ever, teachers are finding innovative ways to inspire their students. The Henry Ford is proud to announce ten educators from across the country who have gone above and beyond for their students as part of The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator Awards, presented by RTX.

Winners were selected based on their approaches to solving problems in their classrooms, the values that they instill in their students, and how they have overcome challenges in teaching to continue to make a positive impact.

These Grand Prize winners will receive a week-long “Innovation Immersion Experience” at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, taking place July 17-21. The experience includes roundtrip airfare, accommodations, behind-the-scenes tours with curators and workshops with The Henry Ford’s Learning & Engagement staff. Winners also receive teaching resources, access to The Henry Ford’s inHub, and a $1,500 gift card for classroom supplies.

The Grand Prize winners are: Cari Barocas, Georgia; Vida Cantieri, Illinois; Brian Copes, Alabama; Michael Farmer, Kansas; Amanda Lower, Georgia; Harry Preston, Maryland; Samantha Samuels, Michigan; Lisa Werner, Wisconsin; Holly Whitt, Alabama and Bruce Williams, New Jersey.

In addition, First Place winners include: David Edelman, New York; Amy Ely, Michigan; Tina Gleason, Wisconsin; Dawn Haught, Ohio; Beatrix Hutton, North Carolina; Elizabeth Jorgensen, Wisconsin; Kristie Letter, Colorado; Lalitha Murali, Wisconsin; Jon Schrage, Indiana and Dipali Vaughn, South Carolina;

The Emmy Award-winning The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation, hosted by Mo Rocca, showcases the fascinating stories behind historic innovators of the past and forward-looking visionaries of today. The weekly series airs Saturday mornings on CBS.

For more information on The Henry Ford’s educational programs, learning tools and more, visit, www.inhub.thehenryford.org.