State of Tennessee

01/21/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/21/2026 11:17

Middle Tennessee Teacher Receives National Recognition as a Milken Educator

Award Recognizes Exceptional Teachers Across Nation

Manchester, TN-Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced Middle Tennessee Teacher, Holly Logan of Westwood Elementary School in Manchester City Schools has been named a recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award, one of the highest honors in education that has been dubbed the "Oscars of Teaching" by Teacher Magazine.

"Congratulations to Holly Logan on receiving the Milken Educator Award and representing the state of Tennessee on a national level," said Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds. "This prestigious award is a testament to the impactful service and leadership she demonstrates to her students, community, and the educator profession."

Holly Logan serves as a leader in her community, school, and district. She not only leads the students, but she also leads her colleagues, paraprofessionals, and families. She's very engaged and takes great pride in ensuring students achieve academic success. Holly is deeply committed to being present for her students and their families to meet their individual needs each day; she truly demonstrates what it means to be an ESL teacher. Learn more about Holly Logan.

"Holly Logan is a remarkable educator. She breaks down communication and cultural barriers for her students and those in her community," says Rebecca Welch, Principal of Westwood Elementary School. "She empowers students to access academic and social success through instruction, positive encouragement, and programming that scaffolds their needs every year that they are with us. Students' lives are forever changed due to relationships initiated and nurtured by Holly, who has a tremendous heart of compassion." 

"Tennessee and Manchester City Schools are fortunate to have incredibly talented teachers, and Holly Logan stands among the very best. Grateful for her students and deeply committed to their success, she creates a supportive and inspiring learning environment where students thrive," said Joey Vaughn, Director of Manchester City Schools. "Respected by her peers for her collaboration and encouragement, she is a trusted colleague and leader within her school. Beyond the classroom, Holly is active in the community, giving her time and talents to support students and families. We are deeply appreciative of the Milken Family Foundation for its continued support of educators like Holly Logan, whose dedication exemplifies the excellence and impact of teachers across the state of Tennessee."

Established in 1987, the Milken National Educator Awards were created to attract, reward, and retain the highest caliber professionals in the education profession. The award recognizes early-to-mid career teachers and principals for both their impressive achievements and the promise of future accomplishments. Recipients are honored with $25,000 in unrestricted awards. Since Tennessee joined the Milken Educator Award program in 1992, 73 Tennessee educators have been awarded over $1.8 million. 

To learn more information about the Milken Educator Awards, visit the Milken Educator Foundation website. For Tennessee Department of Education media inquiries, contact [email protected]. 

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State of Tennessee published this content on January 21, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 21, 2026 at 17:17 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]