Tennessee Principal Ashley Billingsley Named Member of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Prestigious 2027 Teacher Leader Fellows Program

Oneida, TN (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 Ashley Billingsley from Oneida Elementary School of Oneida Special School District in Oneida, Tennessee.

“I am proud to welcome Ashley Billingsley 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.”

Billingsley was one of just 12 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. Billingsley is the principal of Oneida Elementary School, where she previously served as assistant principal for four years. Coming from a family of educators, she believes strong schools are built through teamwork, consistency, and a willingness to keep learning and improving. Her leadership focuses on strengthening instruction, developing future leaders, and making decisions that always keep students at the center of the work

“I’m so excited to be a part of this program,” Billingsley said. “I believe leadership is about building people, not just managing a school. The best schools grow when teachers feel supported, trusted, and challenged to lead in ways that positively impact students beyond their own classroom. As a leader, I want to create a culture where we continuously reflect on our practices, learn from student evidence, and work together to make sure every decision is centered around what is best for kids.”

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. 

“Ashley’s leadership has helped build a culture centered on collaboration, reflection, and student achievement at Oneida Elementary School,” said Oneida Special School District Interim Director of Schools Kelly Chitwood. “We are thrilled to see her recognized as a NIET Teacher Leader Fellow and know she will bring valuable learning back to our district.”

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.