Texas Educator Olivia Grubbs Named Member of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Prestigious 2027 Teacher Leader Fellows Program

Grapeland, TX (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 Olivia Grubbs from Grapeland Junior High of Grapeland Independent School District in Grapeland, Texas.

“I am proud to welcome Olivia Grubbs 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.”

Grubbs was one of just 12 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. She has served as an instructional leader in K–12 education for more than nine years, specializing in instructional coaching, teacher development, and data-driven professional learning. She has taught Spanish, special education, biology, and English, bringing a broad classroom perspective to her coaching practice. Currently serving as an instructional coach at Grapeland Junior High in Grapeland, Texas, she focuses on strengthening instructional practice and fostering collaborative school cultures. 

“Being selected for this program is both exciting and humbling,” Grubbs said. “Teacher leadership is grounded in the belief that strong schools are built through collaboration, continuous learning, and a shared commitment to student success. I strive to support teachers through coaching, data-informed reflection, and meaningful professional learning that strengthens instructional practice and ultimately benefits students.”

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. 

“Olivia’s selection to the NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program is a well-deserved recognition of her dedication to instructional coaching and educator development,” said Grapeland Independent School District Superintendent Terry Myers. “We are proud of her leadership and look forward to the positive impact this experience will have on our schools across the 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.