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Finalists Named for Urban Educator of the Year

PRESS RELEASE                                                                                                                                                         CONTACT:  Tonya Harris at (202) 393-2427
September 24, 2026                                                                                                                                                                     or tharris@cgcs.org      

WASHINGTON, September 24 – The Council of the Great City Schools is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2026 Green-Garner Award, the nation’s highest honor in urban education leadership.

Sponsored by the Council, Scholastic, and HMH, the award is presented annually to either an outstanding urban school superintendent or school board member, in alternating years. This year, the award will be presented to a superintendent.

The four finalists for the 2026 Green-Garner Award are: 

  • Fabi Bagula, Superintendent, San Diego Unified School District
  • Adrienne Battle, Superintendent, Metro Nashville Public Schools
  • Alex Marrero, Superintendent, Denver Public Schools
  • Mark Sullivan, Superintendent, Birmingham City Schools

“The four superintendents selected as finalists this year represent the exceptional leadership and dedication that are driving progress in urban education across the nation,” said Council Executive Director Ray Hart. “Through their commitment to excellence, they are creating opportunities for students to thrive while inspiring higher standards of achievement. We are grateful for their leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to students. Congratulations to each of this year’s finalists!”

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

Each finalist will receive a $2,500 college scholarship, sponsored by HMH, to present to a senior in a high school in their school district.

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. 22 during the Council’s 70th Annual Fall Conference in Boston, hosted by Boston Public Schools.

The winner will receive a $10,000 college scholarship, sponsored by Scholastic, to present to a graduating senior from their school system.

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About the Council of the Great City Schools
The Council of the Great City Schools is the only national organization exclusively representing the needs of urban public schools. Composed of 81 large city school districts, its mission is to promote the cause of urban schools and to advocate for inner-city students through legislation, research, and media relations. For more information, visit https://www.cgcs.org/