Thank you for making the 2026 Innovative Learning Awards so impactful. Together, we celebrated the educators, students, families, and partners expanding what’s possible in elementary math learning, and raised support to help more students build confidence, curiosity, and lasting understanding.
Because of you, this work is already reaching more classrooms nationwide. Now, help us go further.
PowerMyLearning helps teachers uncover how students understand math, beyond right and wrong answers. With real insight into student reasoning, teachers can respond more precisely, strengthen learning, and help every child build confidence as a mathematician.
This year, we honored the Gates Foundation K–12 Education Team as well as an extraordinary student–family–teacher trio from our partner school, P.S. 70Q in New York City.
Bob Hughes is a leader in K–12 education and former Director of K–12 Education at the Gates Foundation, where he led efforts to advance math learning and explore the responsible use of AI in schools.
Throughout his career, Bob has championed an approach to learning that keeps students, families, and teachers at the center, ensuring that innovation strengthens, rather than replaces, human connection in education.
Previously, he served as President of New Visions for Public Schools, supporting a network of 70 NYC public schools and launching new schools, leadership development programs, and widely used curricula and data tools. Bob began his career as a civil rights attorney advocating for students and families in New York City. He currently serves on the boards of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and City Year, and is a Senior Advisor to Common Sense Media.
We’re deeply grateful to our sponsors, whose partnership helped make this year’s event and our work possible. Their support is helping expand impactful math learning to more students and classrooms nationwide.
Your support fuels PowerMyLearning’s work with schools and districts nationwide, helping teachers understand how students think, not just whether they get the right answer. That insight leads to stronger instruction, deeper learning, and greater confidence for every student.
