Dr. Claudio V. Cerullo Nominated for Prestigious Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education

Dr. Claudio V. Cerullo, a nationally recognized expert in anti-bullying, school violence prevention, and student advocacy, has been nominated for the 2026 Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education, presented by the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. The nomination, announced on January 2, honors individuals whose work demonstrates innovation, inspiration, and measurable impact in the field of education.

The Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education recognizes outstanding leaders who have pushed the boundaries of educational thought and practice while improving outcomes for students and communities. Dr. Cerullo’s nomination reflects decades of commitment to research-driven advocacy and hands-on leadership addressing bullying, school safety, and student well-being nationwide.

“I am truly humbled by the nomination, and I thank my colleagues for thinking I am worthy of this award,” said Dr. Cerullo. “Just to be nominated is a blessing.”

Over the course of his career, Dr. Cerullo has positively impacted more than 103,000 children, families, and educators across the United States through training programs, keynote presentations, and direct intervention initiatives. With more than 28 years of professional experience in education, he is widely regarded as a leading voice on anti-bullying prevention, school violence awareness, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In December, Dr. Cerullo received the Hometown Heroes Award from 6ABC, recognizing his enduring commitment to protecting and empowering students. In 2022, he was appointed to Vice President Kamala Harris’ Cyber Harassment Taskforce, and he also served on Harvard University’s Taskforce on Teen Mental Health in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Dr. Claudio V. Cerullo is the founder of teachantibullying.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2011 to support children and families affected by bullying. His work is deeply personal, rooted in his own experiences as a victim, which has shaped his mission-driven approach to prevention and advocacy.

He is also the author of Inside the Mind of a Bully, From Victim to Advocate, a practical guide for students, parents, educators, and administrators seeking to understand bullying behaviors and create safer learning environments.

Dr. Cerullo’s expertise has been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, and Fox News, as well as in The New York Times, Newsweek, The Washington Journal, and Good Morning America.

For more news and information on Dr. Claudio V. Cerullo, visit www.drclaudiocerullo.com.