Tennessee Educator Selected for NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program

Nashville-The Tennessee Department of Education is pleased to share that Ashley Billingsley, Principal at Oneida Elementary School in Oneida Special School District, has been chosen for the 2027 cohort of The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) Leader Fellows Program. NIET selected 13 educators nationwide to join this distinguished group.

Billingsley will participate in a one-year program to enhance her understanding of instructional best practices, enabling her to better support the work within her school and district.

"We are very proud of Ashley Billingsley's commitment to supporting students and educators while representing Tennessee with pride," said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. "Ashley's leadership and dedication reflect the innovation and excellence taking place in classrooms across our state. We value her efforts to enhance teaching methods, boost student success, and serve as a strong ambassador for Tennessee's commitment to educational achievement."

The NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program includes dynamic teacher leaders from schools who showcase educator excellence, possess a proven track record of promoting student success, and serve as role models for other educators.

"NIET's selection is a powerful testament to the talent, dedication, and innovation thriving within our schools. Mrs. Ashley Billingsley's leadership under NIET's coaching provides invaluable opportunities for professional growth, collaboration with peers nationwide, and the development of skills that will directly benefit our students, teachers, and entire school community," said Dr. Jeanny Phillips, Director of Schools for Oneida Special School District. "At Oneida, we remain deeply committed to investing in our educators because we know that great teachers are the foundation of great schools, and most of all, we look forward to celebrating and following the leadership skills of Mrs. Billingsley."

Billingsley will be awarded a $7,500 stipend, engage in professional development activities to strengthen leadership skills, and assist in creating content for NIET. Additionally, she will shadow NIET's local team to improve her coaching abilities and better support her work at the Oneida Special School District.

For over 25 years, NIET has focused on identifying teacher needs, promoting effective instructional strategies, and enhancing educator capacity to meet student needs. NIET has served more than 11,000 schools, impacting more than 350,000 educators and 3.5 million students.

Read NIET's full release. For additional information about the NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program, visit niet.org.

For Tennessee Department of Education media inquiries, contact [email protected].

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