On February 8, 2007, AOIT Co-Director Joel Hilbun received The I CAN Learn®–NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence at an Awards Gala, held at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Mr. Hilbun was chosen as one of the 10 national semi-finalists, advancing to the interview round last summer.

Actor Avery Brooks was the Master of Ceremony; the NEA Foundation Award for Service to Public Education was also given to children book writer/illustrator Eric Carle and tennis star Billie Jean King. This event is also featured at the NEA Foundation web site.