The 2027 NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program

The NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program is a one-year opportunity for teacher leaders in K-12 school systems. The program is designed to provide teacher leaders with opportunities to deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement in order to more effectively support the work taking place within and beyond their school and district. The next cohort of fellows will begin the program in Summer 2026. Through the NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program, candidates will BUILD their skills to advance educator effectiveness by:

•  Building a strong foundational understanding of leadership best practices
•  Understanding how leadership structures provide opportunities to grow and support their own learning and the learning of their colleagues
•  Increasing foundational perspective and understanding of the role successful distributed leadership plays
•  Learning how instructional practices lead to positive change in districts and schools
•  Deepening their instructional skills and their abilities to coach others

Fellowship Responsibilities

Over the course of the year-long fellowship, July 2026 - June 2027, fellows will take on a variety of responsibilities through which they will engage in multiple types of professional development. Teacher leader fellows will:

•  Deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement
•  Attend a five-day in-person Boot Camp July 13-17, 2026 in Scottsdale, AZ
•  Shadow NIET team members providing support to other districts regionally for up to five days during the school year
•  Attend virtual learning experiences throughout the program year
•  Participate in a NIET communications deliverable
•  Create one video that contributes to the field of teacher leadership
•  Assist with and attend the NIET National Conference
•  Assist with and attend NIET Summer Institute (NSI)
•  Provide feedback to NIET on the NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program

Fellows are expected to attend all in-person events including:

•  Fellows Boot Camp, July 13-17, 2026 in Scottsdale, AZ
•  NIET National Conference, Spring 2027
•  NSI, Summer 2027

Fellowship Structure

•  Fellows will maintain their employment as a full-time district employee (including salary and benefits aligned with their district’s salary schedule and structure), while being released from their district to participate in the program activities throughout the year.
•  Travel costs associated with required program travel will be covered by NIET.
•  Each fellow will receive a $7,500 stipend from NIET for their participation.

Application Process and Timeline

Applications for the 2028 cohort will be accepted in Spring 2027.

Direct all questions to fellows@niet.org.

Fellows Cohort of 2027

1. Chase Fowler, Mentor Teacher and Student Services Coordinator, Trumann School District, Arkansas

Anderson Chase Fowler is a Mentor Teacher and student services coordinator for Trumann High School in Trumann, Arkansas. He is a graduate of Arkansas State University and University of Arkansas, where he received a Master of Arts in History and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership, respectively. In his roles, he has the opportunity to be an advocate for both students and teachers. He looks forward to positively impacting his educational community and beyond.

2. Amanda Perring, Instructional Facilitator, Riverview School District, Arkansas

Amanda Perring holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Mid-Level Education and a Master’s in Reading from Harding University. She spent 12 years teaching students in grades K–6 across Oklahoma and Arkansas, developing a passion for literacy, instructional growth, and student success. After a decade of teaching, she pursued an endorsement in Curriculum and Instruction Administration from Harding University to deepen her leadership skills and expand her impact beyond the classroom. Perring currently serves as the instructional facilitator at Riverview Intermediate, where she is dedicated to supporting educators, strengthening instruction, and helping all students and teachers thrive.

3. Amanda Merrill, Master Teacher and Instructional Leader, Osborn School District #8, Arizona

Amanda Merrill is a Master Teacher and instructional leader in Osborn School District #8 in Phoenix, Arizona. She supports school improvement efforts through instructional coaching, leadership development, and systems-focused professional learning. Beginning her career in 2010, she has served students and educators across various educational settings, resulting in campus-wide academic impact. Merrill earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and brings a strong foundation in instructional practice and educational leadership to her teachers and school systems. Merrill also served on NIET’s Educator Advisory Board, contributing educator voice and insight to national conversations surrounding instructional improvement and teacher leadership.

4. Valeria Orozco, Instructional Strategist, Somerton School District #11, Arizona

Valeria Orozco has dedicated the past 21 years to serving students and supporting educators through instructional leadership and lifelong learning. Currently, she serves as an instructional strategist at Somerton School District #11, where she coaches teachers, facilitates professional learning, and supports data-driven instructional practices that improve student achievement. Her professional journey has been deeply shaped by the TAP System, which provided her with the opportunity to grow through its career ladder model, beginning as a career teacher, advancing to Mentor Teacher, and later serving as a Master Teacher. These experiences strengthened her passion for collaboration, reflective practice, and instructional excellence. Orozco is committed to building strong learning communities, supporting teacher growth, and continuing to grow as a leader while contributing to the success and achievement of all students because students inspired her to pursue the rewarding path of education.

5. Andrea McCoy, Secondary Lead Instructional Coach, Metropolitan School District of Washington Township, Indiana

Andrea 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. McCoy believes effective teaching is the foundation for student success and sustained school improvement.

6. Andrew Jaynes, Instructional Coach, Indianapolis Public Schools, Indiana

Andrew Jaynes is currently an instructional coach at George Washington High School in Indianapolis Public Schools. Jaynes’ career as an educator has spanned over 31 years, including 27 years as a math teacher. He’s taught not only in the public sector, but in the private and collegiate areas as well. He has coached dozens of sports and chaired many clubs and extracurricular activities during that time. He is also a father to three children. When he is not volunteering to help coach his children’s sports, he is spending time at their schools and volunteering at his church and local community events.

7. Jessica Thompson, Master Teacher, DeSoto Parish Schools, Louisiana

Jessica Thompson is a dedicated educator committed to continuous growth, having served as a classroom teacher, Mentor Teacher, and now entering her fourth year as a Master Teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Throughout Thompson’s career, she has focused on strengthening instructional practice through collaboration, coaching, and reflective feedback that improve student outcomes. She believes strong instruction can change the trajectory of a child’s life, and is driven by the purpose of ensuring the next generation is better because of the work she does alongside teachers and students each day in her school and school community.

8. Kiera Deloch, TAP Content Trainer, East Baton Rouge Parish School System, Louisiana

Kiera Deloch received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Southern University and A&M College and completed iTeach, earning certifications in 6–12 English and Family and Consumer Science. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at Capella University. Deloch began her career in education as a substitute teacher before transitioning into a paraprofessional and classroom teacher. For more than a decade, she has supported students across public and charter school settings and multiple grade bands. She currently serves as a TAP Content Trainer in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, supporting Year 1 and Year 2 TAP schools.

9. Kimberly Gray, Instructional Coach, Bossier Parish Schools, Louisiana

With 15 years of experience spanning Connecticut and Louisiana, Kimberly Gray is an educator dedicated to empowering teachers to create lasting change in students' lives. Gray holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut. Fueling her passion for literacy, she has also earned a 6th Year Certificate in Reading from Southern Connecticut State University. Gray’s diverse career includes teaching grades K–3, serving as a PreK–12 Literacy Coach, and working in her current role as an instructional coach in Bossier City, Louisiana. Outside the classroom, she can be found working in her garden or traveling with her husband.

10. Joshua Knight, Instructional Coach, Richland County School District One, South Carolina

Joshua Knight is an educational leader with a proven track record of helping both students and teachers in pursuit of real learning. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and a Master's in Teaching from the University of Virginia. Knight has taught all levels of high school mathematics in Washington, DC and Columbia, South Carolina. As department chair and instructional leader, he has been coaching teachers, leading PLCs, and helping to set schoolwide long-range plans. In 2026, he will be moving into an instructional coaching role, diving deep into all content areas to support teaching and learning across the building.

11. Ashley Billingsley, Principal, Oneida Special School District, Tennessee

Ashley Billingsley is the principal of Oneida Elementary School, where she previously served as assistant principal for four years. Coming from a family of educators, education has always been more than a career to her. As a wife, mom, and school leader, Billingsley is passionate about building relationships, supporting teachers, and creating a school culture where students feel valued and challenged to grow. 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.

12. Olivia Grubbs, Instructional Coach, Grapeland Independent School District, Texas

For over nine years, Olivia Grubbs has served as an instructional leader in K–12 education, 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. Grubbs is committed to empowering teachers, increasing student achievement, and promoting continuous growth through meaningful, evidence-based professional learning experiences that lead to positive outcomes for both educators and students.

13. Nadia Perusquia, Instructional Coach, Cotulla Independent School District, Texas

Nadia Perusquia is a dedicated educator with 12 years of experience, all proudly spent serving the same campus community. Perusquia holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, along with a Second Master’s in Educational Administration. She began her career as an elementary math and science teacher and later transitioned into an instructional coaching role. She believes every student deserves access to high-quality learning experiences that support reaching their full potential, and she is committed to achieving this by empowering and developing teachers. As a Hispanic and first-generation college graduate, she carries deep gratitude for her family’s support and remains dedicated to giving back and helping others grow to expand opportunities for all students.