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Four Finalists Named for Council’s 2026 Urban Educator of the Year

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Anticipation will be in the air next month as the urban school district community gathers in Boston to learn who will take home the 2026 Urban Educator of the Year Green-Garner Award. The award, which is the highest honor in urban education leadership, will be presented at the Council of the Great City Schools’ 70th Annual Fall Conference, Oct. 21-25, at the Boston Marriott Copley and hosted by Boston Public Schools.

Four big-city superintendents are finalists for the award, sponsored by the Council, Scholastic, and HMH. The award is presented annually to either an outstanding urban school superintendent or school board member, in alternate years.

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!”

Given 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 Oct. 22.

Each finalist will receive a $2,500 college scholarship, sponsored by HMH, to present to a high school senior in their school district. The winner will receive an additional $10,000 college scholarship, sponsored by Scholastic, to present to a graduating senior from their school system.

Last year’s Green-Garner Award winner was Joyce Wilkerson, school board member for the School District of Philadelphia.

Register online for the 70th Annual Fall Conference.