The Lee University chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), an international honor society for educators, recently recognized nine local teachers for their demonstration of excellence in the classroom at its annual “Honor an Educator” event.  
 
“Kappa Delta Pi seeks to inspire and equip teachers to thrive, ensuring quality, equitable education,” said Dr. Shane Brown, associate professor of elementary education and director of the Teacher Education Program and Field Experiences at Lee. “Our Educator Preparation Program takes great pride in celebrating alumni who are making a remarkable impact in classrooms across our region. Seeing our graduates recognized as both Building and District Teachers of the Year is a powerful reflection of their dedication to students and the strength of the preparation they received. Their success is a testament to the commitment our program has to developing outstanding educators who lead, inspire, and serve their communities.” 
 
Each year, Lee’s KDP chapter highlights educators who have made impactful contributions to both their students and the community. This year’s honorees included Lesley Avery, a K-5 teacher at Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary; Jessica Clowers, a K-5 Building Novice Teacher of the Year at Michigan Avenue Elementary; Sarah Dodson, a 6th-8th grade Self-Contained and District Veteran Teacher of the Year at Lake Forest Middle School; Julie Fairchild, a 2nd grade Building Teacher of the Year at North Lee Elementary; Sydney Gobble, a 6th-8th Novice District Teacher of the Year at Cleveland Middle School; Marie Johnson, a K-5 District Teacher of the Year at North Lee Elementary School; Jill McGuire, a Building Teacher of the Year at Ocoee Middle School; Anne Person, a District Teacher of the Year at Cleveland High School; and April Richmond, a Building and District Novice Teacher of the Year at Lake Forest Middle School. 
  
Dr. Brandi De La Cruz, a math instructor at Collierville High School in Collierville, Tennessee, and 2025-26 Tennessee Teacher of the Year, presented a keynote address.  
 
“Dr. De La Cruz’s message focused on how educators need to find their ‘who,’” said Dr. Paige Rapson, assistant professor of education and sponsor of Lee’s KDP chapter. “In education, we often talk about finding our ‘why,’ but Dr. De La Cruz delivered a powerful reminder that those who make us stay in the education profession are often more important than our reason for being in the field. It was a wonderful reminder for a night in which we honored educators who have deeply invested in their classrooms and community.”  
 
Kappa Delta Pi seeks to encourage high professional, intellectual, and personal standards and to recognize outstanding contributions in education. Founded in 1911, the society became an international honor society for educators in 1981.  
 
For more information on the honorees or Kappa Delta Pi, contact the Helen DeVos College of Education at (423) 614-8175.