In addition to their active involvement in Steppenwolf for Young Adults programs, this year's educators have demonstrated a commitment to the employment of innovative learning techniques that motivate and encourage students to think and participate in creative ways.

This year's recipients include Edward Cisneros, a theater director and educator who heads the theater program at the Multicultural Arts School on the Little Village/Lawndale High School Campus; Kirsten Hanson, a Drama and English teacher at Lane Tech College Prep; Lisa Ehrlich-Menard Drama, an English and History teacher at Curie Metro High School; and Susan McDonough, the U.S. History, Philosophy & Social Issues, and Social Expressions teacher at Austin Career Education Center.