The NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence is The Salute to Excellence in Education's top award and one of public education's most prestigious honors.
Kimberly Johnson
Alabama Education Association
The NEA Foundation awarded Kimberly Johnson, an interventionist, resource educator, and teacher lead at Auburn Junior High School in Auburn, Ala., as the recipient of the 2024 NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence, one of public education’s top honors. Johnson was presented with the award, which comes with $25,000, by NEA Member Benefits President and CEO Leona Lindner at the NEA Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education Gala on May 3, 2024.
Beyond her work with students, Johnson is an advocate for social-emotional learning, student advocacy, teacher support, school resources, and equity in the teaching profession. Her dedication to fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments has had a profound impact on students, educators, and communities alike.
The NEA Member Benefits Award was one of several honors presented at the 2024 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala on May 3 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. At the event, The NEA Foundation also recognized three organizations for their positive impact on public education: Diversify Our Narrative, which received the Student Voices for Education Award; The Longview Foundation, which received the Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education; and the Institute for Democratic Education in America, which received the Equity Partner Award.
This award is made possible through the generous support of NEA Member Benefits.
