Jenna Burke Named Tennessee Teacher of the Year
The state education department honored the Sycamore Elementary educator for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Secondary Education
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The Tennessee Department of Education has selected Jenna Burke as the 2026-27 Tennessee Teacher of the Year. Burke is a teacher at Sycamore Elementary in Collierville.
Why it matters
The annual recognition highlights excellence in the classroom and celebrates educators who demonstrate a commitment to advancing student achievement across the state.
Jenna Burke has served as an educator at Sycamore Elementary since 2017. Her classroom instruction focuses on STEM curriculum and hands-on problem-solving techniques for students.
The players
Jenna Burke
She is an educator at Sycamore Elementary in Collierville who was named the 2026-27 Tennessee Teacher of the Year.
Tennessee Department of Education
This state agency oversees public education and manages the annual teacher and administrator recognition programs.
Tabatha DePriest
She was recognized as the West Grand Division Teacher of the Year by the state education department.
Rebecca Scott
She received the title of West Grand Division Principal of the Year for her leadership in the region.
Melinda Hutcherson
She was named the West Grand Division Supervisor of the Year for her professional contributions to the region.
The details
Burke, who has spent her tenure at Sycamore Elementary fostering a STEM-focused environment, was recognized for her innovative instructional practices. Alongside the state winner, the department honored three Mid-South educators with regional titles for their contributions to local school leadership.
Timeline
Jenna Burke began her tenure at Sycamore Elementary in 2017.
The award recognizes the academic achievements for the 2026-27 school year.
Culture Shift
The Tennessee Department of Education's Excellence in Education awards program highlights the ongoing societal shift toward prioritizing STEM literacy in early education. This recognition reflects a broader trend of rewarding educators who move away from traditional lecture models in favor of experiential learning.
Local families may see an increased emphasis on STEM-based curriculum as schools look to emulate the instructional success of the state award winner. Students in the region benefit from the continued professional recognition of teachers who prioritize hands-on problem-solving in their daily routines.
The takeaway
This recognition underscores the vital role that specialized STEM instruction plays in modern primary and secondary classrooms. Parents can support this shift by encouraging their children to pursue hands-on learning opportunities both inside and outside of the school environment.
Further reading
For more on professional development initiatives in our schools, visit Secondary Education.
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