Awards

Every year, Alabama SAIL, the state’s alliance for instructional leaders, sets aside a moment to name the leaders whose work is reshaping schools across Alabama. These are the people other principals and superintendents call when they don’t know what to do next.

EMERGING LEADER AWARD

For a leader early in the arc of their career whose impact on a school or district is already impossible to miss.

OUTSTANDING CURRICULUM LEADER

A lifetime achievement honor for a leader whose decades of work shaping curriculum and instruction have left their mark on schools statewide.

2026 Honorees

Outstanding Curriculum Leader Lifetime Achievement Award

This year’s award recipient has 24 years in education, has served as an EL teacher and language acquisition coach, federal programs director, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, has most recently served as Chief Academic Officer in Guntersville City Schools, before just being named superintendent for Scottsboro City Schools.

Her superintendent wrote that “Mrs. Williams has demonstrated visionary leadership and an exceptional capacity to translate curriculum theory into effective classroom practice. She is widely respected by teachers, administrators, and colleagues for her expertise, collaborative approach, and steadfast dedication to educational excellence.”

The Outstanding Curriculum Leader Award goes to Mrs. Jennifer Williams.

Emerging Leader Award

In her 15 years of experience, the emerging leader award recipient has served as a teacher, instructional specialist, a district data manager and assessment coordinator, a university assistant professor, assistant principal, and now serves as principal for Cleburne County Elementary AND Middle Schools.

One nominator called her a servant leader and described her first year as principal by sharing that she “has already produced measurable academic success, stronger relationships, improved morale, and a school culture where students and staff truly feel connected and supported. Her impact has been immediate, meaningful, and inspiring.”

From Cleburne County Schools, the Emerging Leader Award winner is Dr. Astin Sarrell.

Nominations

Outstanding Curriculum Leader Lifetime Achievement Award

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

Purpose of Award:
- Recognition for outstanding contributions to curriculum development, advancement or implementation.
Qualifications:
- A nominee must be a current member of Alabama SAIL with at least 15 years of service to education.
- A nominee shall have served for at least three full years in a school district or other educational agency in Alabama with major job responsibilities in the area of curriculum development or implementation.
- A nominee must be nominated by an individual or group, including teachers, administrators, or school board members. Self-nominations will be considered.
- The nomination may originate within the school district or educational agency where the nominee currently serves, or the nomination may come from outside the district or agency.
Selection Criteria – The educator who merits recognition by the Alabama SAIL may be expected to discuss or provide evidence of some of the following:
- An autobiographical record of service and leadership highlighting notable accomplishments in the field of curriculum development at the local, regional, state, and/or national levels over the last five years.
- Two letters of recognition by persons familiar with the individual’s contributions to the field.
- Other service to the profession beyond normal job responsibilities. These contributions to the field of curriculum development may include serving on committees or task forces and/or advocating at the local, state, and national levels.

Emerging Leader Award

NOMINATIIONS NOW OPEN

Purpose of Award:
- Recognition for emerging leadership in the field demonstrating effectiveness, drive, vision, and passion for the profession shown in the first fifteen years of service in education.
Qualifications:
- A nominee shall have exhibited outstanding leadership in a school district or other educational agency in Alabama, may have up to 15 years of experience in education, and may be a teacher, administrator, or other certificated educator.
- A nominee must be nominated by an individual or group, including teachers, administrators, or school board members. Self-nominations will be considered.
- The nomination may originate within the school district or educational agency where the nominee currently serves, or the nomination may come from outside the district or agency.
Selection Criteria – The educator who merits recognition by the Alabama SAIL as an emerging leader may be expected to discuss or provide evidence of some of the following:
- An autobiographical record of service and leadership highlighting notable accomplishments in the field at the local, regional, state and/or national levels.
- Two letters of recognition by persons familiar with the individual’s contributions to the field.