MEEF recognizes teachers who have dedicated themselves to excellence in the classroom. The Top Ten Honorees will be interviewed by the MEEF Selection Committee, which is made up of business and educational leaders in Columbus. After the interviews, the Selection Committee will select the Top Three Honorees, who will then be observed in their classrooms. The 2025 MCSD Teacher of the Year  

"Reviewing all 54 honoree applications offers those leading our community a profound insight into the daily dedication of teachers," said Marquette McKnight, Executive Director of MEEF. "Each year, the committee is in awe of the unwavering commitment and passion teachers bring to their students. Narrowing it down to the Top Ten was no easy task, but these educators stood out for their extraordinary impact, creative approaches to teaching, and unwavering passion for helping students reach their full potential.” 

One of the biggest benefits of being named Top Ten is it allows these teachers to apply to be one of MEEF’s Harvard Fellows, McKnight explained. "The Harvard Fellows experience is a powerful catalyst for professional growth, empowering teachers to become even stronger leaders for their students and colleagues in MCSD."

MEEF’S 2025 TOTY Selection Committee members are Josh Reynolds-Chair, TSYS/Global Payments; Tasha Morman, 2023 MCSD Teacher of the Year; Vanessa Ellis, 2022 MCSD Teacher of the Year; John Pezold, Whit’s Frozen Custard; Sheryl Green, 2015 MCSD Teacher of the Year; Ty Webb, W.C. Bradley; Michael Graydon, Synovus; John Dale Hester, Columbus United; Gina Smith, Keller Williams; Marquette McKnight, Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation.