Tennessee Named Educator of the Year at Sharon School
A Weakley County teacher received the honor for her work using specialized communication tools with students.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Primary Education
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Michaela Frederick, an educator at Sharon School, has been named an Early Educator of the Year for the state of Tennessee. She was chosen from a pool of 1,800 nominees as one of ten teachers statewide to receive the recognition.
Why it matters
The state honor recognizes teachers who help students build a strong educational foundation. The award highlights the impact of utilizing specialized instructional tools to support student communication.
Selected from 1,800 nominees, Frederick is one of ten educators honored statewide. She received a $1,000 cash award, matching the grant received by 2025 honoree Brandie Roberts.
The players
Michaela Frederick
An educator at Sharon School recognized for her innovative use of communication devices to support early childhood learners.
Brandie Roberts
A teacher at Martin Primary School who received the state educator award in 2025.
The details
Frederick supports student learning by incorporating push-button communication and visual schedules into her daily classroom routine. She also utilizes Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices, which provide students with essential tools for classroom participation and foundational skill development.
Timeline
The award announcement was made on September 30, 2026.
Brandie Roberts was named an honoree in 2025.
Frederick will participate in a shopping spree in Nashville in fall 2026.
The Home Front
The Tennessee Early Educator of the Year program serves as a barometer for how state education departments prioritize foundational learning tools. It highlights a growing administrative trend of spotlighting teachers who integrate specialized technology into early childhood classrooms.
Parents should take this opportunity to discuss their own student's communication needs and available classroom resources with their teachers. If your student uses specialized learning tools at home, verify with your school district that those same devices are integrated into the classroom plan.
The takeaway
This state recognition highlights the importance of individualized communication strategies in helping children build foundational school skills. You can support this approach at home by asking your local teachers about the specific visual or communication tools they use to aid student progress.
What happens next
Frederick will attend a $1,000 Lakeshore Learning shopping spree event in Nashville later this fall.
Further reading
Learn more about local school achievements in our Primary Education section.
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Do you believe your local schools offer adequate individualized support for students of all ability levels?
