Making Schools Work Conference Pacesetter & Leadership Awards
Pacesetter and Leadership Awards
Do you have a school that meets the Gene Bottoms Pacesetter Award standards? If so, we hope that you will nominate them for a Pacesetter award. Nominations are open from October-January each year.
For the 2027 conference, nominations will open on October 12.
2026 Gene Bottoms Pacesetter Award Winners
The Gene Bottoms Pacesetter School Award recognizes schools and districts that are implementing the Making Schools Work strategies and are seeing measurable improvements in student outcomes.
This year, we are proud to honor four outstanding institutions for their dedication to excellence and continuous improvement.
State Winner: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has made great strides in providing educators with high-quality professional learning that is engaging, job-embedded and ongoing.
2025 Gene Bottoms Pacesetter Award Winners
We are proud of all of the past winners of the Gene Bottoms Pacesetter Awards. See who won in 2025.