Teachers and schools hold a special place in students’ lives. They help students discover what excites them, believe in their potential, and imagine who they might become. Through a deeply human partnership among educators, students, and families, education builds knowledge, confidence, and dreams for the future.
Today, we celebrate those who have earned advanced recognition within our Microsoft Elevate for Educators community this year: over 54,000 Expert and Fellow educators, more than 1,100 Showcase schools, and 20 inaugural Beacon schools and systems.
Together, they join a community of more than 100,000 educators who learn from one another, build their skills, and open new possibilities for every learner to thrive.
As teaching and learning evolve, teachers and school leaders are defining what responsible innovation means for education. Microsoft is committed to supporting their expertise and judgment, so technology strengthens students’ curiosity without replacing their thinking.
Supporting educators means giving them opportunities to learn, too. Microsoft’s latest AI in Education report finds that 88% of educators surveyed have used AI for school purposes, yet 53% have not received training from their institution. And 66% want training monthly or quarterly. Educators are asking for ongoing professional learning and clear guidance to put it into practice.
In partnership with leading education organizations worldwide, Microsoft Elevate for Educators provides a global peer community, professional learning, practical resources, and a pathway that recognizes educators and schools as they progress. It reflects Microsoft’s investment in the people and institutions that help students excel, building skills and widening opportunity for every learner.
So many of us can name a teacher who helped us see ourselves differently, or a school that gave us a sense of possibility. Behind those moments are people doing extraordinarily demanding work. Microsoft Elevate for Educators is our way of saying: you matter, your work matters, and you deserve a place where others understand the challenges, have creative solutions, and can help you be your best. —Kevin Frey, Chief Impact Officer, Microsoft Elevate
So many of us can name a teacher who helped us see ourselves differently, or a school that gave us a sense of possibility. Behind those moments are people doing extraordinarily demanding work. Microsoft Elevate for Educators is our way of saying: you matter, your work matters, and you deserve a place where others understand the challenges, have creative solutions, and can help you be your best.
Celebrating educators leading the way
As educators progress through Microsoft Elevate for Educators, they build skills, strengthen classroom practices, and put Microsoft for Education tools to work. Experts advance classroom innovation, while Fellows build on that experience to mentor peers and lead change beyond their own classrooms.
We celebrate the 2026–2027 Microsoft Elevate Expert Educators and 2026–2028 Educator Fellows for their commitment to learning and supporting one another.
Schools at the frontier of technology implementation
Schools can also progress through Microsoft Elevate for Educators and earn recognition for strengthening teaching and learning. Microsoft Elevate Showcase Schools demonstrate excellence in technology integration, exploring new ways to use digital tools to support educators and enrich learning experiences.
This year, we welcomed our first-ever Microsoft Elevate Beacon Schools and Systems. This new designation recognizes leadership at scale through strategic technology planning that brings tools, people, and practices together to extend innovation across entire school systems.
Together, Showcase and Beacon Schools are at the frontier of technology use in education, showing how emerging tools can expand what is possible for learners. By sharing what works and what doesn’t, they can help other schools turn innovation into practice.
Spotlight: A culture of confidence in Australia
What happens when educator learning and innovation becomes a whole school effort? At Canterbury College, a K12 school in Queensland, Australia, Microsoft Elevate educators share their learning through collaboration and teacher meetups. Teachers use Microsoft Copilot to personalize resources and help students explore independently.
The biggest change that we see is that there is confidence in doing something new. And in a school, that’s everything. —Dan Walker, Principal, Canterbury College
The biggest change that we see is that there is confidence in doing something new. And in a school, that’s everything.
With leadership supporting teachers to learn and share, their growing confidence is strengthening teaching across the school.
Elevating education together
Feeling inspired? Your journey can start today. Educators can begin as Explorers and schools can join as Pathfinders at any time of the year. From day one, you’ll build skills, connect with peers, put new ideas into practice, and develop a portfolio toward advanced recognition.
The next application window for Expert Educator and Showcase School recognition opens in November.
We celebrate the educators, schools, and school systems whose ideas and generosity inspire others and bring new possibilities to classrooms worldwide. Here’s to another year of learning together and helping students thrive.
Stay connected
- Discover Microsoft Education upcoming events.
- Follow Microsoft AI Skills on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
- Follow Microsoft Education on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Pinterest, and YouTube.
- Explore the Microsoft Learn Educator Center.
