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Photo by Kathryn Hickey. Catherine Sciortino, a science teacher and AI coordinator at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, is an ISTE+ASCD “20 to Watch” award recipient.
7-10-2026 6:52pm
Xaverian Brothers High School Teacher Jennifer Sciortino Receives 2026 ISTE+ASCD 20 to Watch Award
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Catherine Sciortino, a Newton resident, science teacher and AI coordinator at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 ISTE+ASCD 20 to Watch Award, school announced at the end of June.
Each year, ISTE + ASCD recognizes select educators for their achievements, impact, and potential through several awards, one of which is the 20 to Watch Award, given to 20 innovative early-career educators from an international pool of candidates who are already making a difference with projects or artifacts that others can replicate.
As the school’s AI Coordinator, Ms. Sciortino helps the Xaverian community adapt to a rapidly changing educational landscape in a role that combines research, coaching, and hands-on experimentation. She works closely with faculty to determine when and how artificial intelligence can meaningfully enhance classroom learning while promoting responsible and ethical use. She also evaluates AI tools, pursues ongoing professional learning, offers AI office hours, and tests instructional strategies with her own students to stay ahead of emerging trends.
“Winning this award is such an honor, especially having seen the other incredible educators who have been included,” said Ms. Sciortino. “Moving forward, I'm excited to expand our AI initiatives to include more student-facing programming."
Ilka Kostka, a teaching professor at Northeastern University in Boston, was the only other educator from Massachusetts to be honored with the ISTE+ASCD 20 To Watch Award.
Honorable mentions from Massachusetts included Craig Aarons-Martin, chief executive officer of CCM Education Group in Boston and Kimberly Zajac, a speech language pathologist with Norton Public Schools.
Mr. Aarons-Martin also was recognized as one of five recipients of the ISTE+ASCD Making It Happen Award. According to the organization’s website, the Making It Happen Award “honors visionary educators and leaders who cultivate connected, empowered learners.”
In addition to being formally recognized at the joint ISTE and ASCD Annual Conference later this year, award recipients will have ongoing opportunities to share their expertise through webinars, podcasts, and featured articles in educational publications.
“The future of education is being shaped by leaders who are willing to challenge assumptions, embrace innovation, and keep learners at the center of every decision,” said Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE. “This year’s honorees are demonstrating what’s possible when vision, purpose, and practice come together to create meaningful opportunities for students and educators around the world.”
The nonprofit International Society for Transforming Education supports educators in creating purposeful, high-quality learning experiences that reflect each learner’s skills, interests, and identities.
ASCD is a professional learning resource for new instructional strategies for educators, including teachers, instructional leaders, principals, and superintendents. ASCD merged with ISTE in 2023.
