2026 Lakota Diamond Awards Recognize Staff Who are 'A Cut Above the Rest'

The Northern Cincinnati Foundation, in partnership with Lakota Local Schools and Phelan Insurance Agency, is accepting nominations for recipients of the prestigious 2026 “Lakota Diamond Award.” Nominations for these top awards are due Friday, March 27. Four honorees who are "a cut above the rest" will be announced the first full week of May during “Teacher Appreciation Week.”

Formerly known as the “Lakota Educator of Excellence Award,” the refreshed name was introduced last year and establishes a connection to the Lakota Gem Award, which celebrates outstanding staff all year long. While recipients of the top “Lakota Diamond Award” may have received one of the monthly gem awards the last two years, they are NOT required to be among former gem recipients. Rather, they must exemplify all six facets, or categories, of the Lakota gems that the District awards on a monthly basis: 

• Sapphire of Student Support - Values strong relationships and the importance of meeting students' individual academic, social and emotional needs.
• Beacon of Positivity - Radiates positive energy and promotes a welcoming culture that celebrates and respects differences. 
• Brilliant Innovator - Uses creativity to create dynamic experiences for students and staff, solve problems and allocate available resources wisely.
• Polished Team Player - Embraces the power of community and collaboration to lift one another up and work together for the best possible results.
• Gem of Growth - A lifelong learner who values feedback and has a growth mindset for continuous professional improvement.
• Clear Cut Expert - A skilled master of their trade who absolutely shines in their area of expertise, leads by example and adds exceptional value to our school community.

“Once again, the quantity and quality of nominees for the monthly Lakota Gem Awards have been beyond impressive,” said Lakota Superintendent Ashley Whitely. “It’s been an exciting program to watch unfold the last two years. It's been equally gratifying to marry this new tradition with the Foundation’s longstanding top educator award. The recipients of the Lakota Diamond Award will exemplify all the outstanding facets we value in our staff.” 

“The Northern Cincinnati Foundation is honored to continue this partnership with Lakota Schools and Phelan Insurance to celebrate the educators who make an extraordinary difference every day,” said Northern Cincinnati Foundation President & CEO Erin Satzger. “These individuals shape not only student success, but also help strengthen the entire community.”

Outstanding educators can be nominated to receive this honor by students, colleagues, parents or any community member who wishes to acknowledge an educator’s exceptional effort during the last school year. Like Lakota’s Gem Award, nominees are not limited to classroom teachers and can include any administrator or non-teaching staff member as well. 

Two monetary awards, made possible by the generous sponsorship from Phelan Insurance Agency, will be presented: One to a teacher from the elementary level (PreK-6) and another to a teacher from the secondary level (7-12). These winners will receive a $1,000 grant to be used for a special project at their school. 

The third and fourth non-monetary awards will be presented to both a Lakota administrator and a non-teaching staff member (i.e. office staff, custodian, counselor, paraprofessional, nurse, etc.) who has shown extraordinary commitment to the students and teachers of Lakota Local Schools.

All nominations must include at least two additional support letters in addition to the one submitted by the person filling out the nomination form. Winners are chosen by a committee of representatives from Lakota Local Schools and the Northern Cincinnati Foundation.  

The original “Lakota Educator of Excellence Award” was established in 2007 to recognize educators in the Lakota School District who demonstrate consistency and high commitment to students. These individuals motivate, share ideas, inspire, support, create and go above and beyond to make a difference in their school community and the Lakota District.

Nominations are due Friday, March 27.  Visit http://bit.ly/educatorofexcellence to submit a nomination form. Questions may be directed to Karen Gibbs at the Northern Cincinnati Foundation – karen.gibbs@northerncincinnati.foundation or 513.682.8061.