Indiana Educator Andrea McCoy Named Member of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Prestigious 2027 Teacher Leader Fellows Program

INDIANAPOLIS (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 Andrea McCoy from the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township in Indianapolis, Indiana.

“I am proud to welcome Andrea McCoy 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.”

McCoy was one of just 12 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. McCoy has 15 years of experience in education and currently serves as a secondary lead instructional coach. Before moving into instructional coaching, she taught middle school science and was recognized as a Top 25 Indiana Teacher of the Year. A self-proclaimed research nerd, McCoy grounds her coaching in evidence-based practices that strengthen instruction and support meaningful teacher growth. She collaborates with educators through planning, reflection, and instructional feedback to build capacity, increase student engagement, and improve student outcomes.

“It’s a privilege to be selected for a program that invests in educator leadership,” McCoy said. “My philosophy of teacher leadership is grounded in the belief that meaningful change happens through partnership, clarity, and a shared commitment to prioritizing students. As an educational leader, I hope to build the capacity of educators by creating systems that support strong instruction, collaboration, and a culture of growth. My goal is to help educators feel both supported and challenged as lifelong learners so they can be empowered to meaningfully impact student achievement.”

The NIET 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. 

“Andrea’s recognition as a NIET Teacher Leader Fellow reflects her dedication to strengthening instruction through coaching, collaboration, and evidence-based practice at Metropolitan School District of Washington Township,” said Superintendent Dr. Sean Taylor. “We are proud of her continued leadership and excited to see how this experience will further benefit our teachers and students.”

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.