Cybersecurity work is vital to our nation’s security and prosperity, yet hundreds of thousands of in-demand, high-paying cybersecurity jobs remain unfilled. To meet this urgent and growing demand, the United States needs to increase the supply of work-ready talent. This effort will require identifying and developing pathways from secondary education to postsecondary education and careers. However, many high schools do not have enough educators with the necessary expertise to provide a rigorous cybersecurity education.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is collaborating with other federal agencies to increase the number of career and technical education (CTE) teachers who can effectively prepare students for cybersecurity education and careers.
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The Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award honors cybersecurity educators for their contributions to our nation’s students
The Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award is presented by the United States Secretary of Education to educators in the field of cybersecurity to honor their contribution to the education of our nation’s students.
The award is presented annually to two educators—one at the elementary level, and one at the secondary level—who demonstrate superior achievement in instilling skills, knowledge, and passion with respect to cybersecurity and cybersecurity-related subjects. The award recognizes demonstrated superior educator accomplishment as well as academic achievement by the educator’s students.
Award recipients embody the expertise and dedication of educators who are critical to increasing the cybersecurity awareness of all students, inspiring the nation’s future cybersecurity workforce, and contributing to a more secure society.
2020 winners:
Kara Four Bear of New Town Middle School in New Town, North Dakota
Donna Woods of Canyon Springs High School in Moreno Valley, California
2021 winners:
Sergio de Alba of Miano Elementary School in Los Banos, California
Kristina L. Rice of Spotsylvania High School in Spotsylvania, Virginia
2022 winners:
Benjamin Dougherty of Lakota West High School in West Chester, Ohio
Robert “Allen” Stubblefield, Jr. of Troy High School in Fullerton, California
2023 winners:
Elizabeth Cerrone of The Innovation Center in St. Vrain Valley, Colorado
Jahi Garner of Palm Middle School in Moreno, California
2024 winners:
Kathryn Green of Zachary Magnet Middle School in San Antonio, Texas
Jessica Tickle of the Center for Academic Achievement in Shawnee Mission, Kansas
2025 winners:
No awards presented
2026 winners:
TBD
