2026 EmpowerEd Educator Awards

Leaders Education Foundation's 2nd Annual event, EmpowerEd, will honor West Tennessee educators while raising funds to support the Foundation's mission of making lives better, together for students and teachers across West Tennessee.

You're invited to nominate an outstanding educator or educational support professional for one of the awards below to be honored for their dedication at the event. A monetary gift is included with each award.

Empowering Schools Award (1)- celebrates exceptional district or school level (K-12 or collegiate level) administrators, principals, vice principals, or school board members who demonstrate visionary leadership, foster student achievement, engage with the community, and create a positive school culture. Honorees are celebrated for their commitment to innovation, professionalism, and resilience, inspiring both staff and students to reach their highest potential. 

Impacting Communities Award (1)*- honors the dedication and selflessness of volunteers (non-paid) who generously give their time to support the educational needs of students and teachers in our community. These nominees should give their time and talents to support student achievement, teacher appreciation, and promotion of the school or post-secondary institution (K-12 or collegiate level).

Inspiring Students Award (3)*- celebrates outstanding educators and support professionals who make a profound impact in their classrooms and at the school or collegiate level. This award honors those who inspire and engage students, foster a love of learning, and contribute to the academic and personal growth of their students. These exceptional educators demonstrate innovative teaching practices, dedication to student success, and a commitment to creating a supportive learning environment. Awards will be given in three categories:

• K-12 educator*

• Collegiate level educator (including community colleges, TCATs, and universities)*

• Educational support professional in a school setting (counselor, librarian, teacher's assistant etc.), or non-profits focusing on education*

*Workforce Component- Individual nominees or organizations that focus on workforce readiness education or initiatives in our region can be nominated for the Impacting Communities Award (individual or org.) or the Inspiring Students Award (K-12, collegiate level or support professional). An additional question is noted below in the application.

The nominated individual must teach or be involved in education (based on the award criteria) in one of the 21 counties in West Tennessee.

Nominated educators, educational support professionals, and non-paid volunteers from private or public schools and colleges and universities can be nominated.

What You Will Need to Nominate:

1. Nominee's contact and school related information, job title, etc.

2. Answers to the following questions:

   1. Why are you nominating this individual?

   2. How has the nominee gone above-and-beyond to make an impact as an educator/in education?

   3. What makes this person stand out among their peers?

   4. What has this person done to impact the community through their role and beyond?

   5. How has this person exemplified leadership in their role

3. Professional or personal headshot or link to a professional (LinkedIn) or social media page.

4. Signed Letter of Recommendation from a colleague, coworker, school leader etc. Click here to view Letter of Recommendation template information.

5. Optional Uploads

   1. Workforce/Industry related individual or entity- In what ways has this person created change or improvement within their industry?

   2. File upload related to nomination that would assist the review committee in their decision making.

Progress can be saved in the application.

Timeline

January 26, 2026- Application Opens

March 28, 2026- Nominations Close

May 2026- Public Announcement of Finalists

September 17, 2026- EmpowerEd Event and Awards Presented. Learn more at www.leadersgives.org/events.

If you have questions about the nomination process or awards, email [email protected] or call 731.664.1784 ext. 1209.