Thank You To All Who Attended And Supported The 2025 Salute to Excellence In Education Gala!
The NEA Foundation’s 2025 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala was held on February 14 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. With dazzling performances by Svet and the Jersey Girls, and the distinguished Susan L. Taylor, founder and CEO of the National CARES Mentoring Movement and Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Essence Magazine, as the event’s host, it was a night to remember.
At the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, The NEA Foundation celebrated 48 educators who received the 2025 Travelers Awards for Teaching Excellence and the five educators who received the 2025 Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence. The Foundation also celebrated Kent McGuire for his lifelong contributions to education equity, the Black Teacher Project for its commitment to empowering Black educators, and Mikva Challenge for its leadership in amplifying student voices.
We also announced Matthew Hamilton of East Jordan, Michigan as the recipient of the 2025 NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence. The award comes with $25,000 and is one of the nation’s top honors in public education.
Hamilton is a seventh grade social studies educator and middle and high school video production educator at East Jordan Public Schools. One of the innovative ways Hamilton has helped students connect with others and with their own potential is through his club for middle school students, the Shoe Club. The Shoe Club encourages reading and reflection on life goals and motivation and collects shoes from people across all walks of life, including astronauts, inventors, athletes, musicians, business people, and more. Hamilton has collected shoes from Stephen Spielberg, Dolly Parton, and Michael Jordan, to name a few, and asks students to consider what it would be like to “walk a day in someone else’s shoes.”
Our heartfelt thanks to all those who attended the gala, watched the live stream or made a donation.
In today’s climate, standing up for the value of public education and the essential role of educators is more important than ever. The NEA Foundation remains unwavering in its commitment to advancing the absolute best in public education. We are resolute in our insistence that every child deserves access to a high-quality public education, regardless of background or zipcode. We are deeply grateful for all of our partners and supporters who champion the critical role of public education in a healthy and thriving democracy.
NEA Foundation’s Year In Review
The NEA Foundation is proud to share its Year-in-Review, highlighting the impactful strides made across programs and initiatives toward our mission of advancing equity, justice, opportunity, and excellence in public education. From celebrating exceptional educators to deepening our commitments to underserved communities in the Deep South, these accomplishments reflect the unwavering dedication of our team, partners, educators, and supporters like you.
Inside, you’ll find stories of resilience and innovation from schools and classrooms across the country, and hear firsthand from some of the educators, education leaders, and advocates with whom we have had the honor of working. You’ll also get a sneak peek at the road ahead for The NEA Foundation.
We hope you find inspiration within its pages.
Apply Now For The 2026 Global Learning Fellowship Cohort
Are you an educator interested in bringing the world to your classroom? We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Global Learning Fellowship. A year-long professional development experience for educators of all levels and backgrounds, the fellowship includes:
- Ongoing workshops and webinars with global competency and education
- Fellows’ independent study followed by group reflection and discussion
- Group mentoring
- A two-day in-person conference
- Completion of a capstone project incorporating one or more of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals into classroom instructions
- A 10-day international field study to examine another country’s education system, culture, and historical context
Get an insider’s view of the Global Learning Fellowship and hear what previous fellows have to say: Hear from our fellows
We are accepting applications until April 7, 2025.
Coahoma Community College Partnership With The NEA Foundation
In January, The NEA Foundation announced a new partnership between Coahoma Community College and NEA Foundation-supported community schools in the Mississippi Delta region. This collaboration aims to advance opportunity and equity in the historically underserved Mississippi Delta region.
Since launching its Community Schools Initiative in 2019, The NEA Foundation has worked closely with public schools across the Deep South to expand opportunities for student success through authentic, community-driven partnerships. In the Mississippi Delta region, chronically underfunded public schools, limited access to educational resources, and high rates of childhood poverty have created systemic barriers to student success and economic mobility.
The new partnership between Coahoma Community College and two Mississippi school districts are the latest development in the community schools strategies of the Quitman County School District and the Clarksdale Municipal School District. This collaboration will provide students and educators in K-12 schools with increased access to critical resources that support a pathway to higher education, including mentorship, college readiness initiatives, and skills development.
Dr. Micia Mosely from Black Teacher Project On Why Every Child Deserves A Black Teacher
Founder and Director of the Black Teacher Project Dr. Micia Mosely explains in a guest blog post why every child deserves a Black teacher, the transformative power of Black educators, and how Black educators can be supported.
“Black teachers are the lifeblood of educational resilience and transformative impact. Across Black history, in the Black present, and for the Black future, they stand at the powerful intersection of history, culture, and hope—embodying a legacy of resistance against systemic inequities while shaping the futures of all students. Their work is a profound act of liberation, grounded in truth, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the boundless potential of every child.” –Dr. Micia Mosely
The NEA Foundation Congratulates Erica Webber Jones on Appointment as Executive Director of Mississippi Association of Educators
The NEA Foundation congratulates Erica Webber Jones on her appointment as Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Educators (MAE). A dedicated advocate for public education who has served on The NEA Foundation’s Board of Directors, Jones has been a steadfast champion for educators and students nationwide.
Jones’ leadership at MAE marks an exciting new chapter in her career, where she will continue her lifelong work of advancing equity, opportunity, and excellence in Mississippi’s public schools. The Foundation is proud to have worked alongside Jones and look forward to seeing the positive impact she will bring to MAE and beyond.
Sponsor Spotlight: Bank of America
The NEA Foundation is grateful to Bank of America for its generous support of the 2025 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala. With a long-standing dedication to economic mobility and community development, Bank of America is committed to empowering advocates for youth through investments in education and professional development, equipping them with the skills and resources needed to reach their full potential.
Bank of America’s partnership with The NEA Foundation ensures that outstanding educators receive the recognition they deserve and helps strengthen opportunities for students and school communities from coast to coast. Thank you, Bank of America, for standing with The NEA Foundation to celebrate and support public school educators across the country!
To learn more about Bank of America’s commitment to education and community impact, visit the Bank of America website.
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