Tennessee Educator Cherie Tan Named Member of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Prestigious 2026 Fellows Program

OAK RIDGE, TN (August 12, 2025) — NIET is proud to unveil the finalists for the 2026 NIET 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 Cherie Tan from Willow Brook Elementary of Oak Ridge Schools in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 

“I’m excited to invite Cherie Tan into our second cohort of the NIET Fellows Program,” said NIET CEO Dr. Joshua Barnett. “For 25 years, we have seen the work of effective educators, like those joining us in this fellows program, be the driver of success within schools, districts, and communities. We look forward to learning alongside Cherie and this cohort by providing opportunities to elevate instructional practices and apply them within and beyond their classrooms.”

Tan was one of just 11 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. She is a dedicated educator with 14 years of teaching experience and began her career teaching first and second grade in Knox County Schools.

“I’m so excited to be a part of this program and continue to deepen my work as a teacher leader,” said Tan. “Being a teacher leader means passionately empowering educators to realize their full potential, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. By building teacher efficacy, we create a ripple effect that enhances student outcomes and drives educational excellence.” 

While at Sarah Moore Green Elementary, Tan deepened her instructional pedagogy with the support of her Master Teacher and NIET Specialist, propelling her toward leadership roles. She has taught at Oak Ridge Schools as a 4th Grade Math and Science Teacher, leading her students to achieve over 70% proficiency on state testing. Currently, she serves as a Math Specialist at Willow Brook Elementary, collaborating with teachers to enhance instructional strategies, providing guidance on effective teaching practices, and curriculum implementation. 

“We are delighted to celebrate Cherie’s acceptance into the NIET Fellows Program,” said Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Dr. Bruce Borchers. “Cherie has always been a lead learner and driven significant results for our students in their state testing. Her work as a teacher leader is making a difference for both our teachers and students, and we look forward to the skills and strategies she will develop and take back to our district through this program.”

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. 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 two signature NIET events throughout the year - the 2026 NIET National Conference and the 2026 NIET Summer Institute. Each fellow will regionally travel 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 nonprofit based in Phoenix, Arizona, that serves states and districts nationwide. For 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. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are proud to honor our partners’ success and share the results of intentional, sustained investments in educator effectiveness. Learn more in our anniversary report, Building Educator Excellence: 25 Years of Impact. 

Read more about the NIET Fellows Program and meet the other 2026 fellows on the NIET website.