Duval Ebanks, a St. Ann -based primary school teacher, has been named winner of the inaugural 2026 Flow Foundation ICT Innovation Teacher of the Year award.

Ebanks recognition was announced during a special awards ceremony hosted on June 29 by the Flow Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Skills and Information (MOEYSI) and the Jamaica Teaching Council to celebrate educators from across Jamaica who are using technology to prepare students for a future shaped by digital skills and emerging technologies.

To enable the process, sixty-three (63) teachers were selected across all seven (MOEYSI) regions and participated in a six-month vetting and assessment process with seven finalists selected among them to compete for the title.

As the overall winner, Ebanks received an all-expenses-paid trip to the CANTO Digital and Telecommunications Conference scheduled to take place in the Dominican Republic from August 9–12. The regional conference brings together leaders across the telecommunications and technology sectors and will provide an opportunity for learning, exposure and networking. 

Lateton Williams of the Herbert Morrison Technical High School in St. James received second place and will also attend the CANTO conference, while Jody-Ann Thomas of the Buff Bay Primary School in Portland placed third. All three top-placed educators received a cash prize and the schools they represent will receive a technology upgrade from the Flow Foundation ahead of the new school year in September.

Ebanks said the recognition was a proud moment, not only for him, but for his students and school community. “I am truly honoured and excited to receive this award,” said Ebanks. “Teaching with technology is about more than using devices. It is about opening students’ eyes to what is possible and helping them believe that they can be innovators and leaders. My mission has always been to impact the lives of my students in a way that gives them confidence and builds their skills for the future.”

Rhys Campbell, Executive Director of the Flow Foundation, said the awards were created to shine a national spotlight on educators who are helping Jamaica build the talent needed for the digital economy.

“These teachers represent the very best of what this award was designed to celebrate. They are using technology not simply as a teaching aid, but as a bridge to opportunity. Their work shows how ICT can unlock creativity, build confidence and help students develop the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. At the Flow Foundation, we believe that when we invest in teachers, we are investing directly in Jamaica’s future,” Campbell said.

He further added that the Flow Foundation’s focus on education aided by technology is closely aligned with the need to prepare students for a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, robotics, digital innovation and emerging technologies.

The ICT Innovation Teacher of the Year Awards will form part of the Flow Foundation’s wider commitment to advancing digital inclusion and supporting technology-enabled learning across Jamaica.