Dr. Rebekah Redmer, Founder & Senior Advisor of Jenison Innovation Academy’s and U-Tech Prep Online, has been recognized with the 2026 DLAC Research Impact Award, honoring her contributions to advancing teacher evaluation and professional growth in online education. The award was presented during DLAC Ignite, held October 19–21, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia, where educators, researchers, and leaders from across the country gathered to explore innovation and excellence in K–12 digital learning.
Presented by DLAC, The Community Advancing Digital Learning, the Research Impact Award recognizes research that meaningfully influences educational practice, policy, or innovation. The award particularly emphasizes work that bridges the gap between research and practical application, providing educators and school leaders with relevant, accessible strategies that can improve teaching, learning, and student success.
Redmer’s research addresses a longstanding challenge in digital education: traditional teacher evaluation systems were largely developed for brick-and-mortar classrooms and may not fully capture the instructional practices and responsibilities associated with high-quality online teaching. Recognizing this need, Redmer developed the Redmer Model, a research-based evaluation framework designed specifically for educators working in virtual learning environments.
The model provides a shared language for teachers and evaluators to examine instructional effectiveness, establish meaningful professional goals, and engage in deeper reflection about teaching practices. By aligning evaluation with the unique characteristics of digital instruction, Redmer’s work offers a more relevant and purposeful approach to supporting educator growth and continuous improvement.
One of the most significant aspects of Redmer’s research is its movement from theory into practice. At Jenison Innovation Academy (JIA) and U-Tech Prep Online (U-Tech), the Redmer Model has been implemented to strengthen teacher evaluation and professional development, creating opportunities for more focused goal-setting, reflective conversations, and meaningful instructional feedback. Its application illustrates how research can directly inform school practices while providing a framework with the potential to benefit online and hybrid educators across the country.
This connection between research and real-world implementation is central to the DLAC Research Impact Award. Beyond recognizing scholarly contributions, the award celebrates work that is accessible to practitioners, informs educational decision-making, and demonstrates the potential to shape future innovation throughout the K–12 digital learning community. Redmer’s work exemplifies these qualities by offering a practical approach to evaluating and supporting teachers in instructional environments that continue to evolve.
Redmer was among five recipients recognized through the 2026 DLAC Awards. Other honorees included Susan Matheson of Stride, recognized for expanding student engagement and community in virtual learning; Mike Agostinelli of Montana Digital Academy, honored for his leadership in developing digital learning infrastructure and systems; Kortni Spaulding of Optima Academy Online, recognized for her innovative approaches to virtual counseling and family engagement; and Prisma, honored for its personalized, relationship-centered approach to online education.
For Redmer, the recognition underscores the value of research that extends beyond academic study to create meaningful change in schools. Her contributions demonstrate how thoughtful, research-informed approaches can strengthen professional practice, support educators, and ultimately enhance learning experiences for students.
The DLAC Awards celebrate individuals and organizations whose work is advancing quality, innovation, access, and learner success across K–12 digital learning. Recipients are selected through a nomination and review process involving members of the digital learning community.
More information about the DLAC Awards is available at deelac.com/awards.
