Sycamore Elementary STEM teacher Jenna Burke is Tennessee's 2026-27 Teacher of the Year, the second straight year a Collierville Schools teacher has won.
A Sycamore Elementary School teacher holds Tennessee’s top teaching honor this school year. The Tennessee Department of Education named Jenna Burke, a STEM teacher at the Collierville school, its 2026-27 Teacher of the Year.
The department announced the award Thursday evening, Oct. 1, at its annual Excellence in Education celebration in Nashville.
It is the second year in a row the honor has gone to Collierville. The 2025-26 Tennessee Teacher of the Year was Brandi De La Cruz, a math teacher at Collierville High School.
A first in 50 years, the district says
Collierville Schools said in its own announcement that it is the first Tennessee school district in 50 years to produce back-to-back Tennessee Teachers of the Year.
Burke has taught at Sycamore Elementary since 2017. The state’s release described her STEM classroom as energetic, creative and hands-on. It said she builds classrooms where mistakes are valued, not feared, and believes students learn most when they struggle, reflect and try again.
“I’m honored to represent the incredible educators I work alongside every day,” Burke said in the district’s announcement. “There are so many fantastic teachers in our district, which makes this recognition especially meaningful.”
“Jenna is the kind of teacher every student hopes to have,” Director of Schools Russell Dyer said in the same announcement. “She genuinely loves working with children, believes deeply in their potential, and works incredibly hard to create meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for the future.”
What the title means this year
According to the state’s release, Burke will:
- represent Tennessee in the National Teacher of the Year competition
- serve as an ambassador for education across the state through the 2026-27 school year
- sit on the department’s Teacher Advisory Council with the other eight state finalists, a group of teachers that gives the department feedback on its work
De La Cruz, who held the title last year, said in the state’s release that her year included Space Camp, a tour of Google and Washington Week. “To Jenna Burke, congratulations!” she said. “I hope this year brings you the same joy, growth, friendships, and unforgettable memories that it brought me.”
The other statewide winners
The department named two other top educators the same night, neither from Shelby County:
| Award | Winner | School district |
|---|---|---|
| Principal of the Year | Heather Tinch, Burks Elementary School | Putnam County Schools |
| Supervisor of the Year | Elizabeth Kaylor, elementary supervisor | Bradley County Schools |
The closest regional winner to Collierville was Tabatha DePriest of Halls Elementary School in Lauderdale County Schools, named West Grand Division Teacher of the Year.
What it means for you
- If your child is at Sycamore Elementary: Our Sycamore Elementary guide has more on the school, and the district’s announcement is on the Collierville Schools news page.
- If you are weighing schools in town: Collierville Schools was also named a Tennessee Excellence in Civics Education District. Our guide to Collierville public schools compares every school in the district.
- To follow the national contest: The state’s Teacher of the Year goes forward to the National Teacher of the Year program. We will report the result when it is announced.
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