Tennesseans for Quality Early Education (TQEE) has announced the recipients of its inaugural Tennessee Early Educator Awards with a Hickerson Elementary educator being among those honored. The statewide program honors 20 outstanding early childhood educators for their significant impact on the lives of Tennessee’s youngest learners.

Each of the educators across the state were surprised in their classrooms, celebrating the moment with colleagues and students. Each award winner received a $1,000 cash prize, an all-expenses-paid trip to Nashville, and a shopping spree at Lakeshore Learning to recognize their contributions to early education in the state.

“We are thrilled to recognize these incredible early educators, who are shaping the future of Tennessee one child at a time,” said Blair Taylor, CEO of TQEE. “By honoring their hard work, we not only celebrate their achievements but also spotlight their contributions to our children and communities.”

The Tennessee Early Educator Awards were established this year to highlight the critical role of early education professionals working with children from birth through third grade. Of the 20 recipients, 10 were recognized for their work in birth through preschool programs, while the other 10 were honored for their teaching in kindergarten through third grade.

Backed by generous sponsors, including Lakeshore Learning, Ballad Health, Hyde Family Foundation, Niswonger Foundation, the Boyd Foundation, and Crisp Communications, these awards provide recognition to the early education profession and underscore the importance of high-quality early learning for the future success of Tennessee’s children and families.

The 2024 Tennessee Early Educators Awardees are:

● Michelle Mullican | Pre-K age 4| Hickerson Elementary | Tullahoma

● Emily Adams | Kindergarten | Nolan Elementary | Signal Mountain

● Miriam Alvarez | 2nd and 3rd grades | Pi Beta Phi Elementary | Gatlinburg

● Carmen Davis | Ages 6 weeks – 5 years | Ms. Carmen’s Precious Moments | Nashville

● Seth Emmert | Ages 3-4 | Olive Tree Early Learning Academy | Knoxville

● Teresa Fleak | Kindergarten | Goodlettsville Elementary | Goodlettsville

● Franchesca Graffeo | 2nd Grade | Black Fox Elementary | Murfreesboro

● Misty Greenway | First Grade | Parsons Elementary | Decaturville

● Tanya Howard | Kindergarten | Smithville Elementary | Smithville

● Victoria Jackson | Ages 4 months – 3 years | MidCumberland Community Action Agency Headstart | Gallatin

● Eva Jenkins | Preschool ages 3-5 | Hixson United Methodist Church Child Development Center | Hixson

● Malorie Jezelle-Hullett | Preschool ages 3-5 | Creative Collegiate Academy | Cordova

● Whitney Kee | Kindergarten | Dogwood Elementary | Knoxville

● Jamaica Kirby | Pre-K age 4| Arlington Elementary | Jackson

● Kristi Morgan | Preschool ages 3-4 | Little Sprouts Learning Center | Alcoa

● Michelle Mullican | Pre-K age 4| Hickerson Elementary | Tullahoma

● Nathalie Murphy | Preschool ages 3-5 | Fort Sanders Educational Development Center | Knoxville

● Hannah Palmer | Kindergarten | Edgemont Elementary | Newport

● Jennifer Peek | Pre-K ages 3-5 | Sycamore Elementary | Cookeville

● Stephanie Sacco |Kindergarten | Idlewild Elementary |Memphis

● Beth Sutton-Peavler | Pre-K ages 3-4 | Camp Creek Elementary School | Greeneville

Read more about each educator on the Tennessee Early Educator Awards website. ###

Tennesseans For Quality Early Education (TQEE) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring Tennessee’s youngest learners, birth through third grade, get the quality early care and education they need to power our state’s future. Learn more about TQEE at tqee.org.