More than Half of Nashville’s Blue Ribbon Teacher Awardees Work in Schools of Choice
2025 Blue Ribbon Teacher awardees (Photo by the Nashville Public Education Foundation)
This year’s Blue Ribbon Teacher Awards provided more evidence of the impact schools of choice are having in Nashville. More than half of the K-12 public school teachers who received this year’s award either teach in a magnet or public charter school.
Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) and the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) recognized 24 public school teachers and one Pre-K educator as 2025 Blue Ribbon Teachers at a ceremony on Thursday.
Mary Alice Strickler (Photo by the Nashville Public Education Foundation)
Eleven of those teachers work at magnet schools and two teach at public charter schools. That includes KIPP Nashville multilingual learner coordinator Mary Alice Strickler and RePublic High music teacher Joshua Lathan who each received the Excellence Student Success and Opportunity award.
“For me as an educator, the greatest impact comes when the community sees our work as shared work – when we move beyond celebration and toward collaborative investment in the academic and emotional success of every multilingual learner. That’s the kind of support that sustains both my teaching and my students’ dreams,” said Strickler.
Joshua Lathan (Photo by the Nashville Public Education Foundation)
“Thriving students show growth mindset and collaboration – they support each other, give peer feedback, and celebrate small wins together. They take pride in their progress, knowing they are the first generation of our new band and are helping create something lasting and meaningful for our school and community,” said Lathan.
Teachers Recognized for Excellence
MNPS and NPEF selected each Blue Ribbon Teacher for recognition in three categories: Excellence in Student Success and Opportunity, Excellence in Instruction, and Excellence in Leadership. Each honoree received a $2,000 cash award, a professional headshot, a trophy, media recognition, and two round-trip airline tickets provided by Southwest Airlines.
“These awards honor the top teaching talent in our city and show Nashville how educational excellence helps students thrive,” said Dr. Diarese George, NPEF president and CEO. “The Blue Ribbon Teacher designation recognizes the creativity, patience, and commitment these educators demonstrate every day in MNPS classrooms.”
“The 2025 Blue Ribbon Teachers set the standard for excellence in our district through their dedication and expertise,” said MNPS Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle. “At Nashville Public Schools, we are committed to recruiting and supporting educators who drive student growth, exhibit instructional excellence and create welcoming learning environments. We congratulate this year’s honorees and are grateful to NPEF and Nashville’s Agenda for providing a platform to recognize them and elevate the critical role they play in ensuring every student is known, supported and empowered to succeed.”
Hume-Fogg Magnet Leads with Three Awardees
Hume-Fogg Magnet High led the way with three Blue Ribbon Teacher awardees, including AP Literature and Journalism teacher Jennifer Murray who received the Excellence in Instruction Award.
“Students who can be themselves learn how to thrive as themselves. My goal as a teacher is (to) help students discover the excellence within themselves for a world that needs them,” said Murray.
To qualify for consideration, teachers must have served at least four years with MNPS, earned a strong Level of Effectiveness rating for the past three consecutive years, and secured a recommendation from their school principal.
Stratford STEM Magnet High teacher and Student Success and Opportunity awardee Hudson Christian said it’s the small moments that keep him teaching.
“The moments that keep me going are often small but powerful,” said Christian. “(They) affirm that even in the difficult seasons, the work is worth every effort.”
Since 2014, the Blue Ribbon Teacher Awards have honored more than 475 educators across Nashville for their leadership and impact.
To see the full list of awardees, head to this link.
