Microsoft recognizes over 54,000 educators and 1,100 Showcase schools

Who was recognized this year

According to Microsoft, the educators, schools and systems honored this year have earned advanced recognition within the Microsoft Elevate for Educators community. They join a wider community of more than 100,000 educators who learn from one another and build their skills.

The program works as a pathway. Educators build skills, strengthen classroom practices and use Microsoft for Education tools as they progress. Experts advance classroom innovation, while Fellows build on that experience to mentor peers and lead change beyond their own classrooms. Microsoft named the 2026, 2027 Microsoft Elevate Expert Educators and the 2026, 2028 Educator Fellows, and published lists for each group.

Showcase schools and the first Beacon designation

Schools can also earn recognition. Microsoft describes Showcase Schools as institutions that demonstrate excellence in technology integration and explore new ways to use digital tools to support educators and enrich learning.

This year Microsoft introduced a new designation, Microsoft Elevate Beacon Schools and Systems. It recognizes leadership at scale through strategic technology planning that brings tools, people and practices together to extend innovation across entire school systems. The first group numbers 20.

Microsoft says Showcase and Beacon schools are at the frontier of technology use in education, and that by sharing what works and what does not, they can help other schools turn innovation into practice.

As an example, the company points to Canterbury College, a K12 school in Queensland, Australia. There, Microsoft Elevate educators share their learning through collaboration and teacher meetups, and teachers use Microsoft Copilot to personalize resources and help students explore independently. Principal Dan Walker said: "The biggest change that we see is that there is confidence in doing something new. And in a school, that’s everything."

The training gap behind the program

Microsoft ties the program to findings from its latest AI in Education report. Of the educators surveyed, 88% have used AI for school purposes, yet 53% have not received training from their institution. In addition, 66% want training monthly or quarterly.

Microsoft concludes that educators are asking for ongoing professional learning and clear guidance to put it into practice. In partnership with leading education organizations worldwide, Microsoft Elevate for Educators offers a global peer community, professional learning, practical resources and a pathway that recognizes educators and schools as they progress.

Kevin Frey, Chief Impact Officer at Microsoft Elevate, described the program as a way of saying "you matter, your work matters, and you deserve a place where others understand the challenges, have creative solutions, and can help you be your best." The company also says it wants to support educators' expertise and judgment so that technology strengthens students' curiosity without replacing their thinking.

How to join

Microsoft says educators can begin as Explorers and schools can join as Pathfinders at any time of the year. Participants build skills, connect with peers, put new ideas into practice and develop a portfolio toward advanced recognition.

The next application window for Expert Educator and Showcase School recognition opens in November, according to Microsoft. For teachers and school leaders, the announcement shows a defined route from first steps to leadership roles, while the survey figures point to demand for structured AI training that many institutions have not yet provided.