Preschool Teacher Emily Frame Wins $2K Award in PA

Emily Frame spends her days helping two-year-olds take their first big steps into learning, and now she's being celebrated for making those moments magical.

The lead teacher at Newtown Discovery Preschool in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, just received the 2026 Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Award from First Up, Champions for Early Education. She was honored at the organization's annual conference on March 6 alongside 14 other exceptional early childhood educators from southeastern Pennsylvania.

Frame works with children during one of their most important developmental stages, creating a warm classroom where toddlers feel safe to explore, grow, and celebrate new milestones. She focuses on building confidence in her young students while making sure families feel supported and excited about learning together.

Her passion for teaching started when she was young, but it grew even stronger after becoming a mother to her own two-year-old son. He inspires her daily approach to being patient, nurturing, and present with every child in her care.

Outside the classroom, Frame coaches softball and cherishes watching her son discover the world around him. Those personal experiences shape how she connects with the families she serves.

The award comes with a $2,000 cash prize, free conference registration, and recognition at a ceremony during one of the largest early childhood education conferences in the Mid-Atlantic region. It honors teachers who inspire curiosity, bring creativity and compassion to their classrooms, and make lasting impacts on their communities.

Why This Inspires

Early childhood educators shape the foundation of every child's future, yet their work often goes unrecognized. The Lokoff family launched these awards in 1994 to honor Terri Lynne Lokoff, a devoted early educator, and they've continued for over 30 years to shine a light on teachers who change lives during the most formative years.

"We created the award in her memory to recognize teachers who do not normally get recognized and to show them, their students, their families and the entire community, how important a child's first teacher is," said Jaime Lokoff, Terri Lynne's brother.

Carol Austin, Executive Director of First Up, emphasized the bigger picture: "By recognizing this excellent group of teachers at our conference, we hope everyone in attendance will take pride in their success and be inspired to elevate their practice."

Frame's recognition reminds us that the teachers who help our youngest learners take their first steps deserve celebration every single day.