Five Schools Across the U.S. Selected as Finalists for NIET’s Founder’s Award, Contending for $50,000 Grand Prize

Annual Award Recognizes and Honors Exceptional Commitment to Educator Excellence and Student Achievement

Scottsdale, AZ (February 4, 2025) - The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) announced today that five schools have received $10,000 as finalists for NIET’s 2025 Founder’s Award. The prestigious Founder’s Award, created by Lowell Milken in 2008, honors one school in the United States each year for outstanding implementation of NIET’s principles to foster educator excellence and advance student success. The five finalist schools will be honored at NIET’s national conference in Washington, D.C., on February 27, where the grand prize winner will be revealed and receive a cash prize of $50,000.

The finalists are Eastside Elementary School (Warren County Schools, Tennessee); Provencal Elementary/Junior High School (Natchitoches Parish School Board, Louisiana); Shenandoah Elementary School (Shenandoah School Corporation, Indiana); Somerset High School (Somerset Independent School District, Texas); and Waterloo Elementary School (Laurens County School District 55, South Carolina).

Founder’s Award recipients are selected by NIET based on several factors, including improving classroom instruction and student academic growth; creating high-quality professional learning and coaching systems focused on the real-time needs of teachers and students; and engaging teacher leaders and school leaders in building a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

“We congratulate the 2025 NIET Founder’s Award finalists: Eastside Elementary, Provencal Elementary/Junior High, Shenandoah Elementary, Somerset High, and Waterloo Elementary,” said NIET Founder Lowell Milken. “Each school is a powerful example of the essential role instructional leaders play in driving educational excellence across America.”

NIET’s partner schools, including the 2025 finalists, have demonstrated continuous improvement in teaching, learning, and student outcomes by utilizing NIET’s tools and resources to create supportive instructional environments and career pathways for educators.

“These five schools exemplify the profound impact of equipping teachers and leaders with the tools they need to succeed,” said NIET Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Barnett. “Their progress underscores the importance of empowering educators with the right resources and support to drive improvement  – giving every student the opportunity to excel.” 

What Makes the NIET Founder’s Award Finalists Unique?

Eastside Elementary School, Tennessee

Eastside Elementary School, located in a rural area of Tennessee, serves approximately 400 students in grades Pre-K through 8. The school operates with a clear and unwavering commitment to its district’s motto: “One Team, One Goal, High Levels of Learning for All!” Under the direction of Principal Rex Crabtree and his instructional leadership team, Eastside Elementary has cultivated a collaborative and growth-oriented environment, where both educators and students work together to achieve excellence.

From 2022 to 2024, Eastside Elementary outpaced the state in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math, with the percentage of students passing ELA increasing by 16.7 points and Math by 21.1 points, compared to Tennessee’s gains of 2.5 and 5.6 points, respectively. By 2024, Eastside Elementary had closed the gap with the state, earning an “A” letter grade in recognition of its improved performance and unwavering dedication to student achievement.

Learn more about Eastside Elementary School

Provencal Elementary/Junior High School, Louisiana

Provencal Elementary/Junior High School, located in rural Louisiana, serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, with approximately 90% of its students classified as economically disadvantaged. Under the guidance of Principal Diana Curtis and her leadership team, the school has focused on fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment, prioritizing both academic achievement and the personal growth of each student.

From 2022 to 2024, the school has shown continuous improvement in its performance on state assessments, consistently exceeding the performance of students statewide. In recognition of its efforts and success, Provencal Elementary/Junior High earned an “A” letter grade in 2024, reflecting the dedication to excellence demonstrated by its educators, students, and community.

Learn more about Provencal Elementary/Junior High School

Shenandoah Elementary School, Indiana

Shenandoah Elementary School, located in a small, rural town in Indiana, is dedicated to providing high-quality education and fostering a community of excellence. Serving approximately 600 students from pre-kindergarten through grade five, Shenandoah Elementary has become a shining example of educational success in the region. Under the leadership of Principal Brittany Helman, the school has focused on enhancing teacher effectiveness, building leadership capacity, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

From 2021 to 2024, Shenandoah Elementary consistently outperformed the state of Indiana in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Over this period, the school increased the percentage of students passing the state assessment by 23.1 percentage points in Math, surpassing the state’s improvement of 3.8 points. These impressive results reflect the school’s dedication to excellence and its ongoing efforts to improve student achievement.

Learn more about Shenandoah Elementary School

Somerset High School, Texas

Somerset High School, located in Somerset, Texas, serves a diverse student body of approximately 1,100 students, with over 80% of students coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. As a rural high school, Somerset is committed to providing a high-quality education that prepares students for success in college, careers, and life. Principal Cynthia Gamez and her leadership team have emphasized building the instructional capacity of teachers while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. 

Over the past three years, the percentage of students at Somerset High passing the STAAR assessments increased by 16 percentage points, compared to an 8-point increase statewide. By 2023, Somerset High surpassed state performance, reflecting the school’s commitment to improving instructional practices and supporting student growth.

Learn more about Somerset High School

Waterloo Elementary School, South Carolina

Waterloo Elementary School, nestled in rural South Carolina, is committed to fostering a strong academic foundation for its 250 students, ranging from pre-kindergarten through grade five. With a focus on creating a supportive and engaging learning environment, the school emphasizes collaboration and growth among both students and educators. Principal Emily Freeze Parks and her leadership team have worked to enhance teaching practices, build leadership capacity, and ensure every student has access to high-quality instruction.

Waterloo Elementary has seen significant growth in its achievement ratings, rising from “Below Average” in 2022 to “Average” in 2023, and reaching “Good” in 2024. This remarkable improvement culminated in the school receiving the highest achievement accountability rating in Laurens County School District 55 for both 2023 and 2024, highlighting its ongoing commitment to academic excellence and student success.

Learn more about Waterloo Elementary School

For images and more information about the NIET Founder’s Award, visit the NIET newsroom. For interviews and more on the Founder's Award announcement, please contact Laura Blank (laura@keylightcommunications.com) or Katie Elliott (katie@keylightcommunications.com). Follow conference news – including the Founder's Award – on social media using @NIETteach or #NIET2025.

About NIET

The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) is a national nonprofit based in Phoenix, Arizona that serves states and districts nationwide. For 25 years, NIET has partnered with schools, districts, states, and universities to build educator excellence and give all students the opportunity for success. NIET’s initiatives, including the TAP System, teacher and leader development, school improvement, rubric and observation systems, and educator preparation, have impacted more than 350,000 educators and 3.5 million students across the U.S.

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are proud to honor our partners’ success and share the results of intentional, sustained investments in educator effectiveness. Learn more in our anniversary report, Building Educator Excellence: 25 Years of Impact.