Program History

The Making IT Happen program was created in 1995 by Deb DeVries, Kathy Hurley, and Pat Walkington to recognize the contributions of individuals, especially classroom educators, in the field of education technology integration in K–12 schools.

Since its inception, the program has grown into an internationally recognized awards program highlighting the dramatic role various educators, from the Secretary of Education to the classroom teacher, play in the learning process using high quality technology in the classroom. Designed for educators, the program identifies educational technology leaders around the world and rewards those individuals for their commitment and innovation. Since the program's inception in 1995, more than 300 pink jackets (black for men) have been awarded to outstanding educational leaders!