Louisiana Educator Kimberly Gray Named Member of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Prestigious 2027 Teacher Leader Fellows Program

Bossier City, LA (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 Kimberly Gray from W.T. Lewis Elementary School of Bossier Parish Schools in Louisiana.

“I am proud to welcome Kimberly Gray 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.”

Gray was one of just 12 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. With 15 years of experience spanning Connecticut and Louisiana, Gray is dedicated to empowering teachers to create lasting change in students' lives. Her diverse career includes teaching grades K–3, serving as a PreK–12 Literacy Coach, and working in her current role as an instructional coach.

“I'm excited to learn alongside educators who are committed to driving educational excellence through this program,” Gray said. “As an educational leader, I believe that true and lasting change in students' lives begins by empowering the teachers who support them every day. By fostering authentic conversations rooted in student data and educational best practices, we can create an environment where all educators are capable of increased success.”

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. 

“Kimberly’s selection to the NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program recognizes her dedication to empowering teachers and improving instruction for students across our district,” said Bossier Parish Schools Superintendent Jason Rowland. “Her leadership continues to elevate those around her, and we look forward to the benefits this opportunity will bring to Bossier Parish Schools.”

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.