The Alliance for Education again gave out almost $100K in awards this year to principals and educators in Seattle Public Schools who are advancing educational justice and racial equity. One of those teachers is Kels Isaacson, a special education case manager at Eckstein Middle School who was nominated and awarded for their work supporting intersectional students with disabilities who are part of the Queer community (as is Kels).

This $3,000 will allow Kels to support Eckstein Middle School’s student Rainbow Society this coming school year, providing it with the resources and opportunities it needs and deserves.

“Kels understands the incredible importance of moving past a fixed mindset to one of action and understanding,” a parent who nominated Kels for the award said. “He creates an inclusive environment for all students and supports their needs while also advocating for them to be responsible adolescents. He showed enormous care in advocating for my daughter while also sharing personal experiences about his Queer identity. Sharing one’s own lived experiences as a teacher takes courage, and it can make all the difference in a middle schooler’s identity. He stands up and advocates for all his students in a fair and just manner. He can relate to these students, understands their anxieties, and he treats all with compassion.”

For more information on the award, visit alliance4ed.org/2025/06/meet-the-2025-swain-weaver-award-winning-educators.