Cybersecurity and AI literacy are no longer optional, and these educators are making sure students are ready for the future workforce. This year’s Educator Award recipients are advancing K-12 cybersecurity, AI, and cloud education through hands-on instruction, industry-relevant curriculum, and career-aligned programs for students nationwide. Their work is expanding sustainable pathways and helping address critical workforce shortages in cybersecurity and emerging tech. The awardees will be honored at this year’s EdCon conference in Reno, Nevada, June 16-18.
Let’s take a closer look at our 2026 Educator Award Recipients!
Melissa Busbin
Melissa Busbin is building the next generation of AI, cloud, and cybersecurity leaders in Tifton, Georgia, teaching emerging technology to grades 9-12 at Tift County High School. In her classroom, students dive into AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and coding, grounded in real-world skills.
She also drives districtwide AI integration, expanding K-12 access through the Mobile AI & Digital Literacy Lab and delivers statewide professional development as a Georgia Department of Education (DOE) Virtual Computer Science Specialist. As the 2025 Georgia ACTE Teacher of the Year and 2024–2025 GBEA Teacher of the Year, she has secured more than $100,000 in STEM, AI, and cybersecurity grants. Her students have earned recognition for adaptive technology, IoT, and robotics, including the Adaptive Toys Project, where student-built wireless switch devices advance accessibility and inclusive tech.
Riya Nathrani
Riya Nathrani leads cybersecurity, AI literacy, and emerging technology education for the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System in Saipan, supporting K-12 instruction districtwide. Her work spans elementary digital citizenship and online safety, middle school coding, AI literacy, and high school CTE pathways in emerging technologies. She holds ISTE AI Explorations and ISTE AI Deep Dive for Educators certifications and serves on the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System (CNMI PSS) Data Governance Committee.
Riya expanded access to high-demand digital skills for Pacific Islander students and educators by developing AI and cybersecurity curriculum and leading districtwide professional development on responsible AI use and digital citizenship. Each year, she trains more than 700 staff, 2,000 students, and 200 parents. She also helped shape the CNMI PSS Data Privacy Policy and AI Responsible Use Policy, and has earned national recognitions, including the ISTE 20 to Watch Award and the GenerationAI Luminary Award.
Tabitha Senty
Tabitha Senty teaches grades 11-12 at Rosemount High School in Rosemount, Minnesota, where she built the school’s Networking and Cybersecurity program from the ground up. She created hands-on labs and launched districtwide CTF teams that now compete and place in statewide competitions. She holds CompTIA Security+ and Cisco Networking Academy credentials, including micro-credentials in Threat Analysis and Cybersecurity Administration.
She has also advanced cybersecurity and AI education across the district through program development, policy support, and educator training. Tabitha serves on the district’s AI Integration and Computer Science committees, contributed to the Minnesota Department of Education Computer Science Working Group supporting K-12 standards, and leads faculty training on phishing resistance and responsible AI use. She remains active with Cisco, Palo Alto, and statewide cybersecurity education initiatives.
Dan Trembley
Dan Trembley teaches grades 9-12 advanced IT networking and cybersecurity at Dunbar High School in Fort Myers, Florida, and holds multiple industry credentials, including CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+.
He helped found Dunbar’s Academy for Technology Excellence, creating a hands-on pathway into IT and cybersecurity careers through industry certifications like CompTIA, Cisco, and Microsoft. He has also supported a cybersecurity camp at the local community college for the past three years. In 2024 and 2025, his students placed in the top 10 in Cyber Florida’s Cyber Launch Competition and earned additional recognition, including the Microsoft Office Worldwide Championships and National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) awards.
Congratulations Dan, Melissa, Riya, and Tabitha, on being named the 2026 CYBER.ORG Educator Award recipients!
Thank you to our partner, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and our generous award sponsor, Palo Alto Networks, for their continued support ensuring all K-12 students nationwide have access to cybersecurity education.