Celebrating the 2026 Ascend Together Award Winners

Every day across Ascend, our teachers create classrooms where students are challenged, supported, and inspired to grow. They bring energy, skill, creativity, and care to work that has a lasting impact on the lives of our students.

This year, we launched the inaugural Ascend Together Award Program to recognize educators who represent the very best of Ascend. These awards celebrate teachers who build joyful classrooms, create a deep sense of belonging, drive strong student outcomes, and continue growing through feedback and reflection.

We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Ascend Together Awards and celebrate the extraordinary impact they have across our schools.

2026 Ascend Values Award Winners

Rising Ascender Award

• Javair Anderson, Flatbush Ascend Middle School

Championing Belonging Award

• Michelle Newman, Brooklyn Ascend Middle School

Striving Joyfully Award

• Paula Verdino, East Brooklyn Ascend Lower School

The Ascender Award

• Abbey Bryant, Bushwick Ascend Lower School

• Fitzroy Mallett, Cypress Hills Ascend Middle School

• Tyler Holm, Brooklyn Ascend High School

2026 Achievement Award Winners

Centering Justice Award

• Kadian Henry, East Flatbush Ascend Lower School

• Tamia Franklin, East Flatbush Ascend Lower School

• Shiretta Hayden, Flatbush Ascend Lower School

• Isaac Clarke, Flatbush Ascend Lower School

• McFredy Antoine, Canarsie Ascend Lower School

• Gordon Torrington, Canarsie Ascend Middle School

• Sigourney James, Canarsie Ascend Middle School

• Natalee Cruz, Cypress Hills Ascend Middle School

Ascension Award

• Annette Thompson-Mitchell, Canarsie Ascend Lower School

Boundless Choice Award

• Denice Royes-Clarke, Central Brooklyn Ascend Middle School

Denice Royes-Clarke, 2026 Boundless Choice Award recipient

Each of these educators represents what is possible when expertise, care, and belief in students come together. Their impact reaches far beyond a single classroom. They help create school communities where students feel known, challenged, and capable of achieving at the highest levels.

We look forward to honoring all of our award recipients at the Ascend Together Celebration in June and celebrating the extraordinary work happening across our network every day.

Visit this page to learn more about each of our Ascend Together award categories.

Congratulations to all of our 2026 Ascend Together Award winners!