Gerald D. Dawkins Leadership Builder Award

The Gerald D. Dawkins Leadership Builder Award honors education leaders who go above and beyond in helping others discover and embrace their full leadership potential.

Honoring K-12 leader builders who lift up aspiring education leaders

The Gerald D. Dawkins Leadership Builder Award was created in remembrance of Gerald D. Dawkins, Ed.D., a nationally known public education advocate who dedicated his life’s work to serving all children, teachers, and staff, especially the underserved — all while lifting up aspiring education leaders to do the same. 

The award honors education leaders who go above and beyond in helping others discover and embrace their full leadership potential. Each year an award is presented during the ERDI Summer Institute. Award recipients receive $5,000 to grant to two teachers in any school district to explore leadership opportunities outside of the classroom.

2023 Gerald D. Dawkins Leadership Builder Award Recipient

2023 AWARD RECIPIENT

Congratulations to Shawn Bird of San Antonio ISD!

Serving more than two decades in K-12 education, Shawn Bird, Ed.D., deputy superintendent of school leadership at San Antonio ISD, is a strong K-12 education leader who has dedicated his career to developing educators.

Past Award Recipients

Baron R. Davis, Ph.D. is widely regarded for his accomplishments, including developing South Carolina’s first equity policy for K-12 education and launching Richland School District Two’s Premier 100 program, a program focused on recruiting Black male teachers. He is also recognized for developing future educational leaders and challenging them to grow their skills and take on greater levels of responsibility in their careers.
Baron R. Davis, Ph.D.
K-12 EDUCATION LEADER 2022 AWARD RECIPIENT

LEARN MORE ABOUT GERALD D. DAWKINS AND THE AWARD