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The Innovation Project announces their 2025 innovation award honorees

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Incoming TIP Board Chair and Superintendent of Asheboro City Schools, Dr. Aaron Woody, performs virtual knee surgery with coaching from Deputy HR Chief Alison Coker of Guilford County Schools. Photo courtesy of TIP

The Innovation Project (TIP) recently announced the honorees for their 2025 innovation awards for educational excellence. These awards are designed to “shine a spotlight on public school educators and national leaders who are driving innovation and shaping the future of learning,” according to a press release from the organization.

“Committed to fostering innovation and excellence, TIP empowers educators to reimagine school systems and drive tangible, successful outcomes for students,” the press release says. “Through collaborative partnerships, pioneering initiatives, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, TIP is shaping the future of learning.”

Since 2022, TIP has quadrupled the number of initiatives it supports, per the release, which have created nearly 200 new school-based positions that directly serve more than 70,000 students across North Carolina. 

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This year, TIP distributed six innovation awards. Five of the awards went to education leaders across North Carolina and one honoree is a national organization that is using technology to reimagine education through innovation.

“This year’s six honorees can inspire us all to continue to go beyond perceived limitations to create impactful change,” said Dr. Sharon Contreras, CEO of TIP. “They demonstrate what it is to move from commitment to action.”

The awards were presented at the organization’s membership dinner, where guests were able to have a hands-on learning experience. Transfr, the organization that received the vanguard award, provided their virtual reality (VR) goggles that help facilitate immersive training in high demand careers for students in the classroom. Superintendents were able to try out the VR goggles and even perform a virtual knee surgery, according to the press release.

2025 Innovation Award recipients and TIP CEO.  From left to right:  Dr. Aaron Woody, Dr. Sharon Contreras, Dr. Kelly Withers, Dr. Andrew Bryan, Dr. Nakia Hardy, and Ms. Jackie Smalls. Courtesy of TIP

The honorees

Ignite Award: “This award honors superintendents for inspiring the reimagining of teaching and learning within their community. They exhibit creativity and tenacity in implementing bold ideas,” according to the release. 

Aspire Award: “This award honors a first-year superintendent who demonstrates a great sense of urgency, early success, and promising leadership in navigating complex change.”

Catalyst Award: This award “celebrates a superintendent and district for courageously leveraging TIP initiatives to drive impactful change and inspire transformation throughout their district.”

Transcend Award: “This award recognizes individuals whose vision, character, and outstanding track record distinguish them among their peers.”

Vanguard Award: “This award recognizes an individual or organization that is pioneering new ideas, supporting educational change, and collaborating with TIP districts to reimagine education.”

  • Jackie Smalls, senior vice president, Transfr

“We celebrate these courageous and visionary leaders for their commitment to student success and their passion for innovation,” TIP said in the release.

For more information about the Innovation Project and its initiatives, visit TIP’s website.