Chester Educator Headed to Washington, D.C., to Receive National Recognition

Pete Stone, a high school English educator at Lewisville High School in the Chester County School District in South Carolina, will begin 2026 as the recipient of a big honor and could receive an even larger award in the New Year.

Stone is one of five public school educators from across the country The NEA Foundation has recognized with one of the highest honors in public education, the Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence.

Stone will receive his award, which includes a $10,000 prize, at the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala on February 13 in Washington, D.C. The event will also include the premiere screening of a documentary film about Stone’s teaching practices and the impact he has on the community.

During the Gala, Stone will learn if he’s the recipient of the NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence, one of public education's most prestigious honors, which recognizes one exceptional educator with a $25,000 prize.

While gratified by the attention, Stone says his focus remains on the students. “The true reward is knowing that an expert panel selected me and the other awardees by looking at excellence in the classroom, dedication to increasing opportunities for all students, engagement with families and communities, commitment to meaningful professional development, and advocacy for the teaching profession. These are all the things I strive to bring to the classroom every day in Chester,” said Stone.

“The educators we are honoring are powerful catalysts for change in their classrooms and communities,” said Sara A. Sneed, president and CEO of The NEA Foundation. “By cultivating inclusive learning environments where every student can be seen, supported, and inspired, they are changing lives for countless youth and families. We couldn’t be more excited to uplift their stories, practices, and impact at the 2026 Salute to Excellence in Education.”

“The educators receiving the Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence are redefining what it means to serve students,” said Marita Zuraitis, president of the Horace Mann Educators Foundation Board of Directors. “The Horace Mann Educators Foundation is proud to honor their unwavering dedication to nurturing student potential and strengthening school communities.”

The NEA Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education Gala and the Awards for Teaching Excellence are presented with support from FNBO, Horace Mann Educators Foundation, NEA Member Benefits, Travelers Insurance, American Fidelity, and Bank of America. To learn more about the 2026 awardees or the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, visit www.neafoundation.org.