Janet Alexander named IAOTP’s Top Educational Visionary for 2026

Janet Alexander, founder of Hearts and Minds Learning Center and creator of The Highly Valued Teacher, was selected by the International Association of Top Professionals for its 2026 Top Educational Visionary of the Year honor. IAOTP will recognize her at its annual awards gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

Why it matters: - The IAOTP honor puts Janet Alexander among a small group of professionals recognized for leadership, longevity and community impact. - The award adds visibility to Alexander’s work in education for ADHD learners, reading intervention and teacher coaching. - The recognition comes as Alexander says she wants to expand her platform and reach more students, parents and educators.

What happened: - The International Association of Top Professionals selected Janet Alexander as Top Educational Visionary of the Year for 2026. - IAOTP will honor Alexander at its annual awards gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City in December 2026. - Alexander is the founder of Hearts and Minds Learning Center and creator of The Highly Valued Teacher. - Alexander also serves as CEO of Aligned Journey, Intuitive Mentor at Revive Life Mentoring and founder and CEO of Reading Skills Center.

The details: - Alexander has two decades of experience in education and related work. - Her background includes work as an author, speaker and former classroom teacher. - Hearts and Minds Learning Center has worked with more than 2,000 students. - The center says most students accelerated 1 to 3 grade levels in reading, writing and math within months. - Alexander’s mission focuses on heart-centered, data-driven education that supports students, parents and educators. - Her framework, The Highly Valued Teacher, uses relationship-centered, neuroscience-informed strategies. - Her podcast, Heartful Beings, shares those strategies for classrooms and communities. - Alexander also creates content for parental workshops and conferences. - Her coaching services include support for teachers, parents, children, teens and neurodivergent individuals. - Her areas of expertise include teaching, ADHD coaching, education leadership and innovation, reading intervention, public speaking, neurodivergent intervention, research and curriculum development. - Alexander earned a B.S. in Elementary Education, Teaching, Curriculum and Instruction from the University of New Orleans. - She has received multiple awards and recognitions during her career. - Alexander is also under consideration this year for The Empowered Woman Award and a feature in TIP Magazine. - More information is available on Alexander’s website. - More information on the gala is available at IAOTP’s award gala page.

Between the lines: - IAOTP uses an invitation-based selection process, which helps frame the award as a credentialing signal more than a public contest. - The recognition aligns with Alexander’s brand around personalized, relationship-based education and neurodivergent support. - The award also gives IAOTP another example of how it packages professional validation around high-visibility events.

What’s next: - Alexander will be honored at IAOTP’s annual gala at the Plaza Hotel next December. - Alexander says she plans to keep expanding her platform and business to increase access to transformational education. - IAOTP says honorees are invited to collaborate, share insights and serve as keynote speakers within the organization.