Communities In Schools Celebrates 2026 “All In for Students” Honorees

Communities In Schools® (CIS®), the nation’s leading provider of K-12, school-based integrated student supports, announces its 2026 All In for Students Awards honorees. This year's recipients have demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication and commitment to helping students overcome barriers, achieve academic success and pursue brighter futures.

The Communities In Schools All In for Students Awards is an annual national recognition celebrating individuals and partners who make a significant impact in schools and communities across the country. The 2026 honorees will be recognized during the CIS Summit: 50 Years of Being Present, taking place January 20–22, 2027, in Houston, Texas. The summit will bring together CIS leaders and partners from across the country to celebrate the organization's history, recognize its impact and look ahead to the future of student success.

For 50 years, Communities In Schools has witnessed the extraordinary impact that caring adults, strong partnerships and unwavering belief in young people can have on a student's life. This year's honorees carry that legacy forward, showing us what is possible when communities come together to ensure every student feels seen, supported and empowered to succeed.

-Dr. Heather Clawson, Chief Program & Innovation Officer, CIS National Office

The 2026 All In for Students honorees include:

Site Coordinator Award: Calvin Stewart, Volunteers of America North Louisiana

Calvin Stewart, a CIS site coordinator at Bethune Oak Park Elementary School in Shreveport, Louisiana, has spent nearly nine years helping students overcome academic and nonacademic barriers to success. Through individualized academic support, family engagement and community resources, Stewart creates a supportive learning environment where students feel valued and motivated to succeed.

Stewart developed an academic screening and small-group tutoring program to provide targeted literacy and math instruction for his 50 case-managed students. He also introduced a book cart initiative to encourage reading and provides students with access to food, clothing, hygiene products and other essential resources. His efforts have contributed to improvements in student academic performance, attendance and engagement, helping students build confidence and develop a love of learning.

Education Partner Award: Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin, Communities In Schools of North Carolina

Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin, a senior education leader with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and a member of the Communities In Schools of North Carolina Board of Directors, has been a champion for integrated student supports for more than a decade.

Throughout her career, Dr. Pitre-Martin has advocated for partnerships that address the academic, social and emotional needs of students. Her leadership has helped CIS of North Carolina strengthen relationships with school districts, identify schools most in need of services and expand opportunities for students to receive individualized support. 
She has also contributed to statewide education planning and initiatives designed to improve school climate, attendance, academic achievement and graduation outcomes.

Distinguished Service Alumni Award: Kaylee Main, Communities In Schools of Nevada

Kaylee Main, a Communities In Schools of Nevada alumna and registered nurse, exemplifies the lasting impact of having caring adults and a supportive community. During her junior and senior years of high school, Main received academic guidance, basic needs assistance and encouragement from CIS staff that helped her overcome personal and financial challenges and graduate from high school.

Inspired by the support she received, Main has become an advocate and mentor for other young people. She serves as president of the CIS Alumni Executive Council and founded The Main Hope & Health Foundation, a nonprofit focused on supporting underserved students, families and individuals facing barriers to healthcare and education. Through her leadership and community service, Main continues to create opportunities for others and give back to the community that helped shape her future. 

And after recently earning a BSN, Main is now working as a Pediatric Home Health Registered Nurse.

Watching Kaylee grow from a CIS student to a leader, mentor and advocate has been incredibly inspiring. She understands firsthand how much a caring adult and a strong support system can mean, and she's paying that forward every day through her service to others. We're so proud to recognize her with this award.

-Cecilia Lee, Principal of Alumni Relations, CIS National Office

Since 2007, the All In for Students Awards have honored the contributions of CIS alumni, staff, education and funding partners, legislative representatives, business and community leaders, and others who have demonstrated their commitment to the CIS mission of surrounding students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

About Communities In Schools  
Communities In Schools® (CIS®) helps students realize their full potential. For 49 years, CIS has supported millions of students on their path to success in school, the workforce, and life. Working in more than 3,500 schools nationwide, CIS connects students with caring adults and community resources that help them recognize, address, and overcome barriers to a brighter future.