Awards & Recognition

Celebrating Excellence in Digital Learning Across Texas

Join the ranks of Texas’s most innovative digital learning professionals and EdTech leaders. Our prestigious awards program recognizes outstanding achievements, leadership, and commitment to advancing education technology across Texas and the Southwest.

View past recipients.

Why Recognition Matters

Since 1997, TxDLA has honored the professionals who drive innovation, inspire colleagues, and transform education across Texas. Our awards celebrate not just individual achievement, but the collaborative spirit that makes our community thrive. Who we honor:

Innovative educators and EdTech professionals pushing boundaries in digital learning
Digital learning leaders who mentor and develop others in the field
Institutions pioneering new approaches to education technology in Texas
Partners who support and advance our digital learning community's mission

Award Categories

Hall of Fame

Recognizing Exceptional Commitment to Digital Learning

Our highest honor recognizes long-term practitioners whose careers demonstrate exceptional commitment, outstanding achievements, and enduring impact in digital learning. Selected with great care, this distinction honors those who have shaped our field.

Excellence & Innovation in Digital Learning

Outstanding Achievement in Applied Digital Learning Practice

Recognizes individuals, institutions, or corporations who have done the most to benefit and advance applied digital learning practice. We honor innovation across all sectors: K-12, 2-Year Higher Ed, 4-Year Higher Ed, Corporate, and Government/Nonprofit.

Don Foshee Outstanding Leadership

Honoring Exceptional TxDLA Leadership

Named for our founding president Don Foshee, this award recognizes Board Members, Officers, or Committee Chairs who demonstrate strong personal commitment, generous service, and vigorous support for developing other TxDLA leaders.

John A. Baker Award for K-12

Celebrating K-12 Digital Learning Excellence

Honors K-12 teachers working in public, private, or charter schools who excel in digital learning. Named for Dr. John A. Baker, a longtime champion for educational technology who served as TxDLA President-Elect before his passing in 1997. This $500 award includes complimentary conference registration and TxDLA membership.

Bennie Tschoerner Award for Outstanding Commitment to TxDLA

Recognizing Exceptional Service to Our Organization

Named for longtime TxDLA supporter Bennie Tschoerner, three categories honor those who “make things happen” for TxDLA: Individual, Institutional, and Corporate recognition for outstanding service to our organization.

Don Foshee Grant

Supporting Creative Innovation in Digital Learning

This grant recognizes exceptional ideas applied in thoughtful, creative ways through digital learning. Named for our founding president Don Foshee, who was known for his innovative and creative approach to distance learning, it supports projects that demonstrate the creative spirit Don brought to our field.

Policymaker of the Year

Honoring Leadership in Digital Learning Policy

Recognizes policymakers who champion digital learning initiatives and create supportive environments for education technology advancement across Texas.

Nomination Process

Hall of Fame Nomination (Special Process)

Nomination Requirements:

Self-nominations not accepted
Online application form
Letter of nomination
Maximum three letters of support
Biography of no more than one page

Selection Process:

The Hall of Fame Committee evaluates nominations and recommends inductees to the TxDLA Board for majority vote approval.

Award Eligibility:

Recognizes individuals (not organizations or institutions)
Must be digital learning practitioners or advocates with Texas-based careers (not required to be currently active in digital learning)
Texas must be a major beneficiary of their accomplishments
Current or past TxDLA membership not required
May be awarded posthumously
Current residence may be in or out of state

Qualities of Hall of Fame Honorees:

Successful digital learning career of substantial duration
Accomplishments of exceptional noteworthiness benefiting large numbers of Texas citizens
Innovators who have pushed the envelope
Pioneers who have paved the way for others
Advanced digital learning as a career field or instructional delivery mode
Exceptional overall impact and commitment to digital learning

Standard Awards Nomination

Awards Honoring TxDLA Members:

Nominees must be TxDLA members or actively participating organizations

Awards Honoring Digital Learning Excellence:

Nominees do NOT need to be TxDLA members

Don Foshee Grant Application

Ready to Nominate Someone Exceptional?

Awards are presented annually at the TxDLA Conference. Join us to celebrate Texas’s digital learning champions and be inspired by their achievements in education technology.

Past Recipients

Each award category maintains a complete archive of recipients, showcasing decades of digital learning excellence across Texas. Browse by category to see the distinguished professionals who have shaped our field.