Adult Education Instructor Earns 'Teacher of the Year' Award

Bonnie Shaw, an adult education adjunct instructor at Urban, has been selected as the winner of a prestigious "Teacher of the Year" award from COABE (Coalition on Adult Basic Education), the leading and largest adult education association in the world. The national nonprofit serves more than 82,000 educators and 1.5 million adult learners.

Shaw teaches Adult Literacy and English Language Learner classes and has more than 20 years of experience as an educator. Being an educator, she says, is a gift.

"Every day is different," Bonnie describes, "The students I meet, the goals they have, their hopes and dreams; the variety makes my work feel so rewarding."

Bonnie was nominated for the Edgar M. Easley Award by Michelle Schott, Integrated Education and Training Coordinator.

The honor is presented to a practitioner with five or more years of experience in adult education teaching who participates in school and community activities, understands the characteristics of the adult learner, and is committed to the adult/continuing education profession.

Bonnie has been invited to attend a special awards ceremony at the 2026 COABE National Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, for which all expenses related to the trip are covered by the organization. There, she will be honored with other award recipients and presented with a $2,000 check.

"I was humbled and stunned," Bonnie recalled of the moment she learned about the award. "I see amazing educators working with adults every day, just to be nominated was an honor, but to receive national recognition is something else entirely."