Five distinguished alumni of Belmont (including four from the College of Education) have been named recipients of the prestigious 2023 Blue Ribbon Teacher Awards, a recognition bestowed upon exceptional educators who have made an indelible impact on the lives of students within Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS).
“Belmont University takes immense pride in congratulating our alumni for this well-deserved recognition, as they embody the university's core values of service, excellence and community engagement, as well as our College’s mission to train educators who teach brilliantly.”
These educators were among the 50 outstanding teachers celebrated at the 2023 Blue Ribbon Teacher Awards ceremony. The event, held Tuesday, Oct. 18 at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College, was hosted by Metro Nashville Public Schools in collaboration with the Nashville’s Agenda Steering Committee and the Nashville Public Education Foundation. Teachers received a cash prize of $1,000, a trophy and a round-trip airline ticket.
The five known Belmont University alumni named as MNPS 2023 Blue Ribbon Teacher Award winners include:
- Stefani Basilavecchio - Norman Binkley Elementary
Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies, 2016; Master of Arts in Teaching (Elementary K-5), 2017
- Elise DeTrude - Westmeade Elementary
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, 2015; Master of Arts in Teaching (Elementary K-6), 2016
- Catherine Dominy - Hattie Cotton Elementary
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, 1989
- Celia Bowman-Jeffries - Thomas Edison Elementary
Master of Arts in Non-Profit Leadership, 2012
- Edwina Ovbiebo - KIPP Academy Nashville
Master of Arts in Teaching (ESL), 2018
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Belmont extends its heartfelt congratulations to these exceptional educators and takes immense pride in their achievements.