Tennessee Teachers Honored as 2026 Extraordinary Educators for Classroom Innovation

Local educators recognized by Curriculum Associates for student-focused teaching and effective use of i-Ready^® tools; honorees will participate in a yearlong national professional learning and leadership program

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named Molly Foster from Franklin Elementary School and Tabitha Bates from Dover Elementary to its class of Extraordinary Educators™, a prestigious recognition program that celebrates Grades K–8 teachers across the country who exemplify instructional excellence and a deep commitment to student growth. Their teaching demonstrates consistent, best-in-class use of i-Ready tools in their classrooms.

Selected from more than 170 educators nationwide, Foster and Bates are among only 26 chosen this year for their outstanding use of data to drive learning, create inclusive classroom environments, and engage in ongoing professional learning.

"Data helps me ensure my instruction meets students where they are and helps them grow," said Foster. "Being named an Extraordinary Educator confirms that the work I do every day—planning intentionally, reflecting on my practice, and putting students first—has an impact."

"I use data consistently to understand where each student is academically and what they need next—whether that means addressing learning gaps, reinforcing skills, or providing enrichment opportunities," said Bates. "A data-driven classroom is a successful classroom because it allows instruction to be intentional and responsive."

Now in its seventh year, the Extraordinary Educators program connects honorees to a yearlong national professional learning community, leadership development opportunities, and collaboration with education leaders and fellow educators from across the country. Honorees also participate in Curriculum Associates' annual Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit, where they share insights and amplify their impact in classrooms nationwide.

"Our Extraordinary Educators inspire us with their dedication to high-quality instruction and student success," said Kelly Sia, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "We are proud to recognize their work and to walk alongside them as they continue to lead in their classrooms and communities."

The 2026 cohort represents a range of roles, including classroom instruction, student support, and enrichment. Educators were selected through a rigorous review process involving Curriculum Associates staff and an advisory panel of company leaders and Extraordinary Educator alumni, ensuring diverse perspectives and fairness.

Learn more about the Extraordinary Educators program and view the full list of 2026 honorees.

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About Curriculum Associates
Curriculum Associates is a mission-driven company dedicated to making Grades K–12 classrooms better for more than 17 million students and one million educators nationwide. The company's connected suite of i-Ready^® solutions unites adaptive assessment, personalized instruction, and core curriculum in English language arts and mathematics—supported by expert professional learning and service teams—alongside Ellevation for Multilingual Learners and Stile Education^® for middle school science. Through its innovation hub, AI Labs, Curriculum Associates designs forward-looking technologies educators can trust. The company measures success by the impact it makes on student outcomes and is honored to support the extraordinary work of teachers every day.

SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC