A look at the NEA Foundation SALUTE to Excellence in Education 2022 Gala

On Friday, May 13, the NEA Foundation celebrated outstanding educators throughout the country at the NEA Foundation 2022 SALUTE to Excellence Gala. 

For more than 20 years, the NEA Foundation and Horace Mann have celebrated outstanding educators from around the country with this recognition. The award is one of public education’s highest honors and recognizes educators for their diligence and dedication to students, colleagues, community and their profession.  At this year’s celebration, Heather Cabra, Horace Mann Senior Vice President, National Sales, presented each of the five finalists with their awards and a $10,000 prize. See what their colleagues and leaders have to say about each honoree at the links below. 

Adriana Abundis Alonzo, San Antonio, TX

Natalia Benjamin, Rochester, MN

Chris Gleason, Sun Prairie, WI

Alexandra Castellanos Smith, Roy, UT

Kathy Purviance-Snow, Snohomish, WA

"Educators are at the forefront of inspiring the next generation of change-makers,” said President and CEO Marita Zuraitis. “We value the investment all educators make in their students, especially during times of great change. They are the bedrock of their communities, and we are proud to recognize the exceptional contributions and achievements of the recipients of the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence."

From the five finalists, the NEA Foundation awarded Kathy Purviance-Snow with the NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence and $25,000! Kathy is a career and technical education/social studies educator at Snohomish High School in Snohomish, Washington.