Seattle just named its best teachers. Does your kid have one of them?
Eleven Seattle Public Schools educators and staff will each receive $3,000 grants after being named recipients of the 2026 Philip B. Swain Excellence in Education and Adrienne Weaver Science Teaching Awards, the Alliance for Education announced Friday, June 5.
The $33,000 in total funding goes to staff at Title I schools across the district who were selected through colleague and community nominations and demonstrated growth in school-level data, according to the district.
Eight educators received the Swain Award, which recognizes grades 6–12 staff advancing educational justice and racial equity:
- Joanne Davis, Interagency High School
- Herman García, Denny International Middle School
- Kevin Hiller, Rainier Beach High School
- Lyndsey Johnson, Meany Middle School and Nathan Hale High School
- Ariana Nuñez, Chief Sealth International High School
- Melissa Park, Nova High School
- Noelle Tyau, Denny International Middle School
- Crystal Visperas, Jane Addams Middle School
Three science educators received the Weaver Award, which covers K–8:
- Andy Darring, Pathfinder K-8
- Emily Elasky, Mercer International Middle School
- Lara Megard, Catharine Blaine K-8
Denny International Middle School has two honorees this year. Johnson is the only recipient serving two buildings.
The grants are flexible. Recipients can spend them on classroom supplies, student learning projects, or professional development, including travel. The awards honor Philip B. Swain, a former teacher and public-education advocate, and Adrienne Weaver, an educator known for hands-on science instruction.
The Alliance for Education, a nonprofit that serves as the local education fund for SPS, has distributed the endowed awards annually since 1999.