Metro Nashville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle has been named the 2026 Urban Educator of the Year, receiving the prestigious Green-Garner Award in recognition of her leadership in improving student achievement, increasing graduation rates and expanding educational opportunities across Nashville.
The Council of the Great City Schools presented Battle with the award October 22 during its Excellence in Urban Education Awards Ceremony in Boston. The Green-Garner Award is considered the nation’s highest honor for leadership in urban education.
Battle was selected from four national finalists announced in September.
“Dr. Battle has effectively led MNPS through a period of significant academic improvement and achievement,” said Council Executive Director Ray Hart. “She has expanded academic opportunities, strengthened college and career pathways, and invested in educators and school communities essential for student success.”
Under Battle’s leadership, MNPS has achieved significant academic gains, including earning Level 5 status, Tennessee’s highest designation for student academic growth, every year since 2022.
The district has also reported historic academic performance across tested subjects and grade levels, along with its two highest graduation rates in 2024 and 2025.
Other improvements include increased student attendance and reductions in chronic absenteeism and behavioral incidents.
Battle credited the district’s success to the collective efforts of students, teachers, support staff, families and community partners.
“We have one simple truth and mantra in Nashville Public Schools, which is ‘Every Student Known,’” Battle said while accepting the award. “We’re unwavering, we’re obsessed over making sure that every Nashville Public Schools student is known, that they’re supported, that they’re valued, cared for, and on a guaranteed path toward success.”
The recognition places Battle among the nation’s leading urban education administrators and highlights Nashville’s progress in addressing the academic and social needs of students in a large, diverse public school district.
As the award recipient, Battle will receive a $10,000 college scholarship sponsored by Scholastic to award to an MNPS student. She will also receive a $2,500 scholarship sponsored by HMH, which is provided to each of the award’s finalists.
The Green-Garner Award recognizes outstanding leadership among superintendents and school board members serving the nation’s largest urban school districts. The honor alternates annually between the two positions.
The award is named in honor of Richard R. Green, the first Black chancellor of the New York City school system, and Edward Garner, a businessman and former Denver school board member.
For Battle, the national recognition underscores the district’s commitment to ensuring that every student receives the academic support, resources and opportunities necessary to succeed in school and beyond.
