A press release from the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) highlights Nashville’s 2025 Blue Ribbon Teachers:
Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) and Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) designated 25 educators as new Blue Ribbon Teachers at a ceremony hosted by Vanderbilt University on October 30. Each Blue Ribbon teacher received a $2,000 cash prize, professional headshots, a trophy, media mentions and two round-trip airline tickets, courtesy of Southwest Airlines. Since 2014, the Blue Ribbon Teacher awards have recognized and celebrated more than 475 of Nashville’s top teachers.
The 2025 winners are:
- Courtney Antonello, H. G. Hill Middle
- Brooke Adler, Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet
- Tony Berg, Wright Middle
- Deanna Boorsma, Meigs Middle Magnet
- Hudson Christian, Stratford STEM Magnet High
- Christopher Collins, Hume-Fogg Magnet High
- Sarah Diaz, Maplewood High
- Abbie Gunkel, Charlotte Park Elementary
- Manda Hackney, Tusculum Elementary
- Heather Hall, East Nashville Magnet High
- Samira Hardcastle, John F. Kennedy Middle
- Dr. Brittany Harrington, Cockrill ES
- Maegan Hickey, Cambridge Early Learning Center
- Joshua Latham, Republic High
- Matthew Laurence, Hume-Fogg Magnet High
- Valerie McAnally, Cole Elementary
- Jennifer Murray, Hume-Fogg Magnet High
- Meredith Musgrove, Paragon Mills Elementary
- Marti Profitt, Nashville School of the Arts
- Likisha Rhodes, Cane Ridge High
- Alex Robinson, John Overton High
- Zakeisha Appleton Smith, Tusculum Elementary
- Mary Alice Strickler, KIPP High School
- Debbie West, Waverly-Belmont Elementary
- Courtney Williams, Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet
“Teaching is an admirably tough profession that requires creativity, patience and unwavering commitment. We are so proud to honor the top teaching talent in our city each year and show Nashville how educational excellence can help students thrive, said Dr. Diarese George, NPEF President & CEO. “The Blue Ribbon Teacher designation recognizes the hard work of these teachers and shines a spotlight on the innovation and leadership that happens daily in MNPS classrooms.”
