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Billingsley Receives Prestigious Recognition

By Shane Gilreath
SCN Contributing Editor
[email protected]

Oneida Elementary School Principal Ashley Billingsley has been selected to participate in the prestigious 2027 National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) Leader Fellows Program, a prestigious honor only awarded to 13 educators from across the United States. The program, seen as highly competitive given its exclusivity, is designed to strengthen leadership capabilities among outstanding educators who have demonstrated a commitment to instructional excellence and student achievement. Over the course of the yearlong program, Billingsley will be granted the opportunity to work with education leaders from around the country, gaining new insights into effective teaching practices and school leadership strategies that work all around the United States and have insight into implementation.
Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds praised Billingsley’s selection, noting that her dedication to supporting both students and teachers reflects the quality of leadership found in Tennessee schools. Reynolds said Billingsley’s work in Oneida demonstrates a commitment to improving classroom instruction and advancing student success while serving as a strong representative for the state’s education community.
As a member of the 2027 cohort, Billingsley will receive a $7,500 stipend and participate in a variety of professional learning opportunities. The program includes leadership development, team/education collaboration, and opportunities to contribute content and resources for NIET.
“NIET’s selection is a powerful testament to the talent, dedication, and innovation thriving within our schools,” said Dr Jeanny Phillips, Director of Schools for Oneida. “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,” Phillips added.
The NIET Leader Fellows Program is reserved for accomplished educators who have already demonstrated successes in helping students achieve and continue to serve as mentors and examples for excellence for their peers. Participants are selected based on their leadership abilities, instructional expertise, and commitment to educational improvement.
“At Oneida, we remain deeply committed to investing in our educators because we know that great teachers are the foundation of great schools,” Phillips said. “Most of all, we look forward to celebrating and following the leadership skills of Mrs. Billingsley.”
For more than 25 years, NIET has worked to strengthen teaching and learning nationwide. Through its programs and initiatives, the organization has supported more than 11,000 schools, reached over 350,000 educators, and positively impacted the educational experiences of approximately 3.5 million students.