Tag Archives: NPEF

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NPEF Announces Nashville Blue Ribbon Teachers

The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) announced the 2026 Blue Ribbon Teachers:

The Nashville Public Education Foundation proudly congratulates the 2026 Blue Ribbon Teacher award winners! In partnership between NPEF and Metro Nashville Public Schools, 25 educators will be recognized at a reception hosted by Vanderbilt University this evening. Award winners will be honored across three categories of impact:

  • Excellence in Student Success and Opportunity
  • Excellence in Instruction
  • Excellence in Leadership 

Since its inception in 2014, the Blue Ribbon Teacher Awards has honored over 500 educators. This year’s winners will receive a $2,000 prize and round-trip airline tickets generously provided by Southwest Airlines.

The 2026 Blue Ribbon Teacher award winners:

  • Lesley Baxter, Tulip Grove Elementary School
  • Melisa Brown, Neely’s Bend K-8 School
  • Chris Dickerson, Norman Binkley Elementary School    
  • Natalie Elliott, Warner Arts Magnet Elementary School    
  • Stephanie Ellis, Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet School
  • Briana Evans, Cambridge Early Learning Center
  • Elmer Feliciano, McMurray Middle School    
  • Lacey Galbraith, John Overton High School    
  • Brenda Gauss, Amqui Global Communications K-8 Magnet School    
  • Magdi Girgis, Glencliff High School
  • Thelma Guzman Ardon, Hume-Fogg Magnet High School
  • Dr. Jenna Hagengruber Neal, John Overton High School
  • Ashley January-Reed, Isaiah T. Creswell Arts Magnet Middle School    
  • Marlon Jones, William Henry Oliver Middle School
  • Shasta Lee, McGavock High School
  • Ashley Lehenbauer, Apollo Middle School
  • Erinn McGee, John B. Whitsitt Elementary School    
  • Kirsten McGlone, Apollo Middle School    
  • Darcy Muller, Cane Ridge High School
  • Frank Norris, Meigs Magnet Middle School
  • Rebecca Pearson, Norman Binkley Elementary School    
  • Christopher Reid, J.T. Moore Middle School    
  • Jesi Seifert, Stratford STEM Magnet High School    
  • Dr. Deerre’ll Taylor, Cane Ridge High School
  • Hannah Younker, Haywood Elementary School

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Nashville Blue Ribbon Teachers

From the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF):

Metro Nashville Public Schools, in partnership with the Nashville Public Education Foundation, will celebrate the 2026 Blue Ribbon Teacher award winners on  Thursday, October 29, 2026. The evening reception will recognize 25 honorees across three award categories: Excellence in Student Success and Opportunity, Excellence in Instruction, and Excellence in Leadership.

The Blue Ribbon Teacher award is a prestigious award that honors and uplifts the incredible work of teachers and educators within Metro Nashville Public Schools. The winners were selected by a panel of judges through a rigorous application review process. In addition to the remarkable honor, each winner will receive a $2,000 prize in recognition of their dynamic impact.

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Are Nashville Schools Thriving?

The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) has compiled data into what the organization is calling the “Thriving Schools Dashboard.”

From an NPEF email:

Our Thriving Schools Dashboard brings together data across four domains — student enrollment and attendance, academic achievement, student experience, and teacher experience. This data speaks to many of the conditions within the Thriving Schools Framework, offering a fuller picture of what it takes to create an environment where all students thrive.

The dashboard shares data for all schools in Metro Nashville Public Schools, including district-authorized charter schools, as well as charter schools in Davidson County authorized by the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission.

The information is drawn from and updated annually based on publicly available state and district sources, including the following: 

  • Tennessee State Report Card Data
  • Panorama Student and Teacher Experience Surveys
  •  TN2030 Data on statewide goals from Tennessee SCORE’S TN2030 Initiative

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Teacherpreneur Applications Open

The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) is now accepting applications for Teacherpreneur:

Teacherpreneur is one of our signature programs that guides participants in developing their big idea through five impactful professional learning sessions. Ideas are explored, honed, and strengthened to become pitch night-ready. That’s when the top ideas will be awarded a total of $25,000 in cash prizes in addition to seed funding to implement a pilot program.

The application will close on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Eligible educators in Nashville’s public schools, including teachers, librarians, and counselors, are welcome to apply. For questions about Teacherpreneur, email Colleen Gilligan, Director of Strategic Initiatives.

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Nashville Teacherpreneur Applications Open Soon

From the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF):

We’re elated to share that the application for Teacherpreneur will open next week. [Week of 10/5] This unique program harnesses educator innovation to develop and support teacher-driven ideas that help all students thrive. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to share your big idea and engage in five meaningful professional learning sessions. 

Educators will pitch their ideas for the chance to take part in cash prizes totalling $25,000 and seed funding for their idea’s implementation. This innovative program is open to teachers, librarians, counselors, and MNPS and charter school educators. 

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The Story of 1000 Laptops

Tech Goes Home, a program of the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF), distributed its 1000th laptop recently.

More from NPEF’s newsletter:

Last week, Tech Goes Home held a session for families in the Antioch and Cane Ridge clusters and gave away its 1,000th laptop. We’ve been excitedly waiting for this celebratory moment since the end of last school year, and it finally happened. Dr. Diarese George, NPEF President and CEO, attended the session to greet attendees and Tech Goes Home team members and recognize the milestone.

We have provided laptops and technology training to MNPS families through Tech Goes Home since the 2022-23 school year. The program helps combat the digital divide by engaging families in classes that teach digital literacy skills and review technology platforms used by MNPS for parent and teacher communication, grading, attendance information, and more. These classes enable families with more skills to actively participate in their child’s learning. At the end of the course, the families receive a free Chromebook laptop. 

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Nashville Public Schools Hall of Fame

The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) will hold an event on Thursday, August 27th to honor this year’s inductees into the Public Schools Hall of Fame.

More from a media release:

The Nashville Public Education Foundation will host its 22nd Public Schools Hall of Fame luncheon on Thursday, August 27, 2026, to recognize nine honorees and garner support for the city’s public education system.

2026 Public Schools Hall of Fame Honorees:

Nelson C. Andrews Distinguished Service Award presented by Vanderbilt University

  • Rodger Dinwiddie is the Co-CEO of STARS Nashville, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization addressing substance misuse, school-based mental health supports, violence and bullying prevention training, and adolescent intensive outpatient treatment services.

MNPS Distinguished Alumni Award presented by Belmont University

  • Johari Matthews, graduate of Glencliff High School, is the Vice President and Executive Director of ONE Community and the Tennessee Titans Foundation, where she leads the way in philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.  
  • Rod McDaniel, graduate of McGavock High School, is the CEO of S3 Recycling Solutions, a nationally lauded IT asset disposition company serving clients across North America.
  • Evette White, graduate of Hillwood High School (now called James Lawson High School), is the Executive Director of Leadership Nashville, an executive program that strengthens Nashville through deep connections formed among diverse leaders.

Annette Eskind Inspiring Educator Award presented by UBS

  • Quanita Adams is a Computer Science and Mathematics educator at Stratford STEM Magnet High School, where she advances equitable access to high-quality STEM education.
  • Kevin Stevens is a 6th and 7th grade Math teacher and Instructional Leader at Head

Magnet Middle School (recently renamed Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet Middle at Head Campus).

Ronald L. Corbin Inspiring Leader Award presented by Lipscomb University

  • Dr. Michael Pratt is the Executive Principal of Stratford STEM Magnet High School and the 2025 MNPS High School Principal of the Year.

Thomas J. Sherrard Inspiring Innovation Award presented by Nissan

  • DYMON In The Rough (Dynamic Young Minorities of Nashville) is a trusted, community model, youth development nonprofit organization that has empowered girls, equipped leaders, and elevated communities across Nashville and Middle Tennessee for 14 years.
  • Girls Write Nashville is a creative youth development program that empowers teen artists through songwriting, music production, mentorship, and community.

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Education Foundation Pushes “Thriving Schools Framework”

The Nashville Public Education Foundation’s (NPEF) latest newsletter includes mention of the so-called “Thriving Schools Framework” that the organization says it wants to see adopted in MNPS.

Here’s more:

The Thriving Schools Framework is rooted in research and backed by real-world experience. Based on education research and focus groups with over 50 MNPS educators, our findings reflect what it takes to ensure all students thrive in school and the opportunities to initiate solutions that close gaps and eliminate barriers. While there’s no exclusive method for curating a thriving school, our framework aims to highlight and support the six conditions present in schools where all students thrive.

The six conditions for a thriving school:

  • Ambitious Instruction
  • Inclusive and Supportive School Culture
  • Engaging and Relevant Educational Experiences
  • Culture of Collaboration
  • Effective School Leadership 
  • Resource Alignment

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NPEF’s Leadership Public Education Cohort Graduation

From the Front of the Class newsletter of the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF):

Earlier this month, the 2026 Leadership Public Education Cohort culminated its six months of leadership development programming with session 6. The day-long convening welcomed education and non-profit leaders who shared insight on navigating communication and conflict, direct engagement with Metro Nashville Public Schools, and advocacy training. Dr. Diarese George, NPEF President and CEO, also presented on the importance of building on this experience by finding meaningful ways to support public schools and other organizations serving students.

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and NPEF celebrated the 7th cohort with a graduation and reception. Throughout the program, cohort members engaged in expert-led sessions, panel discussions, and research that explored key issues and opportunities facing Metro Nashville Public Schools. Overall, they addressed history, education policy, funding, workforce pathways, talent management, accountability, and school options.

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The Facts About TN’s Very Expensive Voucher Scheme

The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) released an infographic explaining what happened with school vouchers in the 2026 legislative session.

In the email announcing it, they said:

One of the most prevalent areas of focus in the 2026 Tennessee legislative cycle was the state’s voucher programs, which provide public dollars to families opting to enroll their child in a participating private school instead of their local public school district. Our latest infographic breaks down the need-to-know voucher bills that had an impact on accountability, access, and transparency. 

The most significant voucher bill this year expanded Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship vouchers, which are available to families statewide, from 25,000 seats to 35,000 seats. The bill also changed how school districts can recoup per pupil funds lost due to disenrollment.
As a result:

  1. Districts can only recoup funds that they can show were lost as a direct result of voucher participation.
  2. Districts must track students’ social security numbers as part of this process, which they currently do not do.
  3. Recouped funding will be calculated according to the past year’s funding levels, which would not account for cost of living increases.

These changes add a great deal of administrative burden to districts to recoup funds and alter a previous hold harmless provision that helped ensure school districts would not lose money from one year to the next. This bill also adjusted the income limits for EFS vouchers, making them more accessible for higher-income families.

Other proposed legislation was intended to increase transparency and accountability surrounding the usage of voucher programs, particularly regarding the socioeconomic levels of families enrolling in voucher programs, and in the learning outcomes of participating students. However, these bills failed at the committee level and did not proceed for a full vote.

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