Arkansas Educator Amanda Perring Named Member of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Prestigious 2027 Teacher Leader Fellows Program

Searcy, AR (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 Perring from Riverview Intermediate School of Riverview School District in Searcy, Arkansas.

“I am proud to welcome Amanda Perring 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.”

Perring was one of just 12 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. She currently serves as the instructional facilitator at Riverview Intermediate, where she is dedicated to supporting educators, strengthening instruction, and helping all students and teachers thrive. Perring holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Mid-Level Education and a Master’s in Reading from Harding University. She spent 12 years teaching students in grades K–6 across Oklahoma and Arkansas, developing a passion for literacy, instructional growth, and student success. After a decade of teaching, she pursued an endorsement in Curriculum and Instruction Administration from Harding University to deepen her leadership skills and expand her impact beyond the classroom.

“I’m so excited to be a part of this program,” Perring said. “I believe teacher leadership is about growing the capacity and agency of others while keeping our students at the heart of every decision. My goal is to help create a culture where both students and educators are continuously learning and thriving.”

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 exemplifies the collaborative leadership and commitment to continuous improvement that define Riverview School District,” said Riverview School District Superintendent Susan Blockburger. “We are proud to see her recognized as a NIET Fellow and look forward to the insights and leadership she will bring back to our educators.”

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.