Arizona Educator Amanda Merrill Named Member of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Prestigious 2027 Teacher Leader Fellows Program
July 21, 2026
Phoenix, AZ (July 21, 2026) — NIET is proud to announce the members of the 2027 NIET Teacher Leader Fellows cohort, launching a dynamic one-year program to help selected educators deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement to more effectively support the work taking place in their school and district.
Among the distinguished fellows is Amanda Merrill from Solano Elementary of Osborn School District #8 in Phoenix, Arizona.
“I am proud to welcome Amanda Merrill into the 2027 NIET Teacher Leader Fellows cohort,” said NIET Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Barnett. “This fellowship reflects NIET’s commitment to build educator excellence and empower outstanding teacher leaders who are strengthening instruction and accelerating student success. We look forward to working alongside the 2027 fellows this year as they continue to grow their leadership and share their expertise with educators across the country.”
Merrill was one of just 12 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. She supports school improvement efforts through instructional coaching, leadership development, and systems-focused professional learning. Beginning her career in 2010, she has served students and educators across various educational settings, resulting in campus-wide academic impact. Merrill earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and brings a strong foundation in instructional practice and educational leadership to her teachers and school systems. Merrill also served on NIET’s Educator Advisory Board, contributing educator voice and insight to national conversations surrounding instructional improvement and teacher leadership.
“I’m so excited to be a part of this program,” Merrill said. “I believe lasting school transformation begins by empowering educators through collaboration, reflection, and purposeful growth. As an educational leader, I strive to cultivate the conditions where teachers flourish, instructional systems strengthen, and every student experiences learning that is equitable and impactful.”
The NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program was created with educator effectiveness in mind, bringing together teacher leaders from partner schools nationwide who demonstrate exceptional implementation of NIET's principles, emphasizing educator excellence and advancing student success.
“Amanda’s selection to the NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program reflects her commitment to instructional leadership and educator growth,” said Osborn School District #8 Superintendent Felipe Carranza. “Her work supporting teachers and strengthening instructional systems exemplifies the excellence we strive for across Osborn School District #8. We are proud of this recognition and look forward to the impact she will continue to make through this opportunity.”
Throughout the year-long fellowship, fellows will participate in professional development activities designed to enhance their leadership capabilities, including an introductory boot camp and involvement with NIET events throughout the year, including the 2027 NIET National Conference and the 2027 NIET Summer Institute. Each fellow will travel regionally to shadow NIET’s Senior Specialists while maintaining their full-time employment status, including salary and benefits, with their respective districts, while being released to participate in program activities throughout the year.
The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) is a national nonprofit based in Phoenix, Arizona, that serves states and districts nationwide. For more than 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.
Read more about the NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program and meet the other 2027 fellows on the NIET website.