2025 Cleve Penberthy Excellence in Innovation Award

The Cleve Penberthy Excellence in Innovation Award, presented by the Alliance for Innovative Educational Redesign (AIER), is one of the organization’s highest honors and is designed to recognize leaders in education who embody the spirit of innovation, creativity, and dedication to transforming the learning experience for young people. Named in honor of Cleve Penberthy, a pioneer in reimagining education through forward-thinking approaches, this award highlights the enduring legacy of educators who challenge the status quo and design better pathways for future generations. 

The inaugural recipient of this award is Dr. Cindy McMahon. Dr. McMahon is a visionary leader and a transformative educator who pushed the boundaries of how we teach, how we connect and how we inspire. What truly sets Cindy apart is her courage to try new things, her willingness to embrace what’s possible, and her humility to learn and grow throughout the whole process. Cindy has always understood that innovation means more when it's rooted in relationships and purpose that extends beyond the classroom. It's about students who feel seen, educators who feel empowered, and communities that operate with a “better together” mindset. Her development of The Community School (TCS) exemplifies that vision. TCS is a place where generations of students, families and educators will continue to be inspired to “Do Something That Matters,” as their tagline goes. However, Cindy's work doesn’t stop at the doors of TCS. She is a passionate advocate and supporter of educational options that meet the needs of diverse learners and communities.

Dr. McMahon was presented with this year’s award at the AIER Innovation Summit held on July 9, 2025. The ceremony began with a few introductory words by the award’s namesake, Cleve Penberthy. Then, TCS staff member, Sara Reijonen, shared a personal tribute to Dr. McMahon highlighting her tremendous impact. Following Sara’s heartfelt words, AIER board members presented the award certificate, plaque, and gift.