San Diego is a hub for world-class innovation, and it all starts in our classrooms. On Thursday, May 14, 2026, the Classroom of the Future Foundation (CFF) invites you to join us at SeaWorld San Diego’s Nautilus Pavilion for the premiere education event of the year: the CFF 23rd Annual “Innovation in Education Awards.” Act now to purchase your tickets since limited seats are available.
Why Your Presence Matters
For over two decades, CFF has bridged the gap between the business world and the classroom. This event is more than just a ceremony; it’s a mission-driven gathering of community and business leaders dedicated to ensuring our students are prepared for a competitive global society.
By purchasing a ticket, you aren’t just attending a gala—you are directly supporting multiple education programs, students, educators and administrators.
2026 Class of CFF Special Awards
First, we’d like to highlight our 2026 Class of CFF Special Awards winners. These awards celebrate exceptional contributions to educational innovation and student success across San Diego County, recognizing a diverse range of individuals, teams, and organizations that champion the mission of the Classroom of the Future Foundation.
- Todd W. Gutschow Visionary & Outstanding Leadership Award, which honors long-standing supporters of CFF and San Diego County districts, has been awarded to Bruce Braciszewski, Ph.D.
- Beginning in September 1998, Bruce served as the original Executive Director of the Classroom of the Future Foundation. Over the course of his remarkable 17-year tenure, he built a legacy that fundamentally shaped innovative education across San Diego County.
- Innovative District Team Award: Awarded to a district-based team that provides visionary and innovative leadership in their district to support student success. Congratulations to the Escondido Union School District Expanded Learning Team on earning this year’s award.
- This team has had exceptional success in transforming traditional expanded learning hours into dynamic hubs of project-based discovery. Operating at an impressive scale, the team has offered 1,026 teacher-led and vendor-led classes this year alone, successfully serving 11,351 students across all 23 of EUSD’s schools. By dedicating themselves to educational innovation, community partnerships, and student-centered career readiness, the Expanded Learning Team directly shares CFF’s core framework and vision.
- Innovative School Award: Awarded to a school-based team that provides visionary and innovative leadership in their school to support student success. Congratulations to Ivy High School in the Fallbrook Union High School District for earning this year’s award.
- Guided by their motto, “education through transformation,” this team has reimagined what secondary education can look like by creating authentic, future-focused learning experiences that prepare students academically, professionally, and personally. One of the most compelling examples of its innovative approach is its Business Pathway, which connects students directly with local business partners. Through this pathway, students do not merely learn business concepts in theory—they actively design, create, and market their own products, gaining real-world entrepreneurial experience. This authentic application of learning builds critical skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, financial literacy, and creative thinking, while fostering confidence and relevance in students’ education.
- Pathways Team Award: Awarded to a CTE-related team that has demonstrated a commitment to expanding career pathway opportunities for students and preparing them to be college and career-ready. Congratulations to the Borrego Springs Unified School District Team for earning this year’s award.
- Despite only having 105 high school students, this team has been able to recently bolster our career learning to provide an impressive 8 career pathways for our students. We have created traditional pathways, such as Automotive Technology, Welding, Digital Media, and Photography. We have also developed the first ever pathway in Interpretive Hosting—in partnership with the Anza Borrego Desert State Park—which earns our students a certification in National Interpretive Hosting and as an Interpretive Guide at a national or state park. Two years ago, we developed another unique pathway in Environment & Utilities—helping students to earn their D1 Water Distribution Operator certificate. Just last year, we began two programs in partnership with career colleges for Nursing pathways and Early Childhood Education pathways. The district made completion of a career pathway a graduation requirement, fulfilling our mission is to ensure that every student leaves Borrego Springs prepared for their future.
- CFF D.R.E.A.M.S. Team Award: This award recognizes a DREAMS (Design, Research, Engineering, Art, Math & Science) team who has demonstrated a commitment to expanding STEAM career pathway opportunities. Congratulations to Poway OnStage for earning this year’s award.
- Their comprehensive Virtual Performance Curriculum is a model of how arts integration can support CFF’s Mission to “inspire, support, and advocate for educational innovation in San Diego County public schools.” Each virtual field trip—free to San Diego County schools—blends high-quality performing arts experiences with digital, standards-aligned curriculum, designed to enrich classroom learning while promoting creativity, cultural literacy, and critical thinking. These performances are paired with resources that support both synchronous and asynchronous instruction, offering teachers flexibility and students engaging, technology-enhanced learning opportunities.
- Business Team Award: This award recognizes a business team that gives back to the community by helping local K-12 students to thrive in a competitive, global society—particularly in the area of college and career readiness. Congratulations to California Schools VEBA for earning this year’s award.
- Their mission is to build strong communities through a healthy, engaged, and emboldened membership that enjoys a total state of well-being. Their vision is for all Californians to have accessible and equitable healthcare. CFF thanks VEBA for their long-term partnership as a business champion that supports both local educational causes and CFF’s programs, events, and initiatives.
- Community Team Award: Awarded to a community-based organization that partners with local school districts to provide innovative programming and resources to support student success related to educational innovation or college and career pathways. Congratulations to Project Next for earning this year’s award.
- This North County San Diego nonprofit is transforming how we prepare students for life after high school. Their mission is to help students plan and prepare for a future that is best for them by connecting them with the tools, experiences, and relationships they need to thrive, whether that path leads to college, career training, the workforce, or other opportunities. What sets Project Next apart is its deeply embedded partnership model. In collaboration with Escondido Union High School District (as well as San Marcos Unified School District and Oceanside Unified School District), it operates Future Centers directly on our high school campuses. These centers are staffed year-round by Career Coaches and a Financial Aid Coach who work alongside our educators to ensure students have consistent, personalized support as they plan for their next steps.
2026 Class of STEAM Grant Awardees
Next, we’re celebrating our 2026 Class of STEAM Grant Awardees who are pushing the boundaries of traditional learning. This year’s top honors include:
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- Impact Award ($10,000 grant): 1904 Cadets: Building a K–12 Fire & EMS Pipeline Through Real-World Public Safety Education – Multiple school districts
- Innovate Award ($5,000 grant): Flight Path to the Future: The MTM Drone Innovation Program – Millennial Tech Middle, San Diego Unified School District
- Inspire Award ($5,000 grant): Roots of Change: From Garden to Table to Community – Solana Beach School District
- Honorable Mention (Innovate Award): The Sound Station – Chula Vista Elementary School District
- Honorable Mention (Inspire Award): Monte Vista Elementary Innovation Lab – Monte Vista Elementary / Vista Unified School District
- Learn more about each program in our blog post “Meet the 2026 Class of STEAM Grant Awardees for CFF’s 23rd Annual “Innovation in Education Awards“
AVID STEM Scholarship Program
The AVID STEM Scholarship Program: We will honor approximately 14 high-achieving high school graduates who have overcome significant personal challenges to pursue STEM degrees in college. To date, CFF has distributed over $960,000 to more than 300 deserving students.
Event Schedule
Experience an evening of inspiration surrounded by San Diego’s most dedicated educators and aquatic life at SeaWorld.
- 4:00 PM: Registration Opens (Free parking begins at 4:00 PM)
- 5:00 PM: Awards Program at the Nautilus Pavilion
- 6:30 PM: Hosted Reception with a buffet, refreshments, bar, and exhibit tables
Secure Your Spot
Tickets are limited and are expected to sell out fast. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with the region’s top leaders and witness the transformative power of education firsthand. Together, we can continue to inspire, support, and recognize the educational success stories that shape our region’s future. We look forward to seeing you at SeaWorld on May 14th!