Key Dates for the Inaugural Awards

The Online Teacher Awards are proud to announce the key dates for our inaugural year. This timeline marks the beginning of a global tradition to honor online educators who inspire, innovate, and impact learners around the world.

Each stage of the awards process has been carefully designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and celebration at every step. Whether you are nominating a teacher, following the progress, or simply cheering from the sidelines, here are the important dates to mark on your calendar.

Nominations Open: September 15, 2025

The journey begins. On September 15, 2025,  we officially open nominations for the first-ever Online Teacher Awards. From this date, educators, students, colleagues, administrators, and even teachers themselves can submit nominations.

Nominations are more than forms — they are stories of impact. Each submission highlights the dedication, creativity, and innovation of educators who have gone above and beyond in the digital classroom. We encourage you to share the unique ways teachers have transformed learning, whether through groundbreaking use of technology, building inclusive online communities, or inspiring learners across distances.

Nomination Deadline: May 1, 2026

The nomination window closes at 11:59 PM UTC on May 1st, 2026. This ensures our review panel has time to give each submission the careful attention it deserves.

Late submissions will not be discarded — they will instead be rolled forward for consideration in the following year’s awards. This way, no story of excellence is ever lost.

If you’re planning to nominate, don’t wait until the last minute. Taking the time to prepare a thoughtful nomination is the best way to give an educator the recognition they deserve.

Review Period: May 8, 2026

Beginning on May 8th, our AI program  will carefully review all eligible nominations. This stage involves evaluating each submission against our clear set of criteria: innovation, student impact, engagement, inclusivity, and leadership.

The review period is more than an administrative step — it is a moment of reflection. It’s where stories from across the world come together, painting a picture of what online education looks like at its best.

How Are Winners Selected?

At the Online Teacher Awards, innovation isn’t just what we celebrate — it’s how we operate. Our judging process is powered by AI, making this the first awards program in the world to use artificial intelligence to recognize excellence in online teaching.

Every nomination is assessed against clear, published criteria, including innovation in course design, student engagement, inclusivity, technology use, and measurable impact on student outcomes.

AI ensures:

• Impartiality: Every educator is judged by the same objective standards, free from personal bias.

• Transparency: The process is based on clear, published benchmarks.

• Consistency: No matter how many nominations we receive, every submission is evaluated fairly and at the same level of detail.

Finalists and winners are confirmed by our founder, Kizzi Nkwocha, combining human insight with the precision of AI.

Winners Announced: June 1, 2026

On June 1st, the spotlight shines. The top 10 online teachers for 2026 will be announced through our website and official social media channels.

This announcement marks a milestone — the first time the world will see the names and faces of educators honored by the Online Teacher Awards. Each winner will represent the very best of online teaching: resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to students.

Virtual Awards Ceremony: July 1, 2026

The journey culminates in our Virtual Awards Ceremony on July 1st, 2026. This annual celebration will bring together educators, students, and supporters from around the world to honor the year’s winners.

Held entirely online, the ceremony reflects the spirit of the awards themselves: global, inclusive, and accessible. It will feature stories from the winners, highlights from the nomination process, and messages from the wider teaching community.

Most importantly, it will be a celebration of the profession as a whole — a recognition that every online teacher plays a role in shaping the future of education.

Why These Dates Matter

The timeline of the Online Teacher Awards isn’t just about deadlines. It’s a rhythm that builds momentum, creates anticipation, and ensures recognition happens with integrity. Each stage is designed to shine a light on teachers who deserve to be celebrated and to give the global community a chance to share in their success.

As we embark on this inaugural year, we invite you to be part of the journey: nominate a teacher, spread the word, or simply follow along as the process unfolds. Together, we can ensure that the Online Teacher Awards become not just an event, but a tradition that grows stronger year after year.