Finalists Named for Urban Educator of the Year

Scholastic, in partnership with The Council of the Great City Schools, is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2025 Green-Garner Award, the nation’s highest honor in urban education leadership. The award is presented annually to either an outstanding urban school superintendent or school board member, in alternate years. 

“The school board members who are finalists this year have played a vital role in the advancement of urban schools across the nation,” said Council Executive Director Ray Hart. “These outstanding individuals have dedicated themselves to ensuring our students achieve high educational standards. We thank them for their leadership, commitment, and service. Congratulations!”

The four finalists for the 2025 Green-Garner Award are:  

• Marcia Andrews, School Board Member, The School District of Palm Beach County 
• Valerie Davis, School Board Member, Fresno Unified School District 
• Erika Mitchell, School Board Member, Atlanta Public Schools 
• Joyce Wilkerson, School Board Member, The School District of Philadelphia

The finalists were selected by a distinguished panel of current and former superintendents and school board members. The candidates were evaluated based on their work in improving student achievement and narrowing achievement gaps, demonstrated leadership and governance skills, and efforts to boost the public’s confidence in their respective school districts.

The Green-Garner Award is given annually in honor of Richard R. Green, the first African-American chancellor of the New York City school system, and businessman Edward Garner, who served on the Denver school board. This year’s award will be presented at the Excellence in Urban Education Awards Ceremony on the evening of Oct. 23 during the Council’s 68^th Annual Fall Conference in Philadelphia, hosted by The School District of Philadelphia. The winner will receive a $10,000 college scholarship to present to a graduating senior from their school system.