Nashville is this year’s host for AASA’s 2026 National Conference on Education, where the superintendent of the city’s school system, Adrienne Battle, is receiving this year’s Excellence in Family Engagement Award.
The recognition is co-sponsored by AASA and National PTA. The award was made possible by funding from Overdeck Family Foundation.
In its second year, the award celebrates excellence in family-school partnerships and recognizes superintendents who have implemented innovative strategies to integrate family engagement across strategic plans, budgets and district infrastructure.
As superintendent of the Metro Nashville Public Schools, Battle will accept a $5,000 prize to support family engagement initiatives.
Battle will be recognized twice during AASA’s 2026 national conference. The Excellence in Family Engagement breakfast on Feb. 12 will celebrate superintendents committed to family engagement. Battle will address attendees.
Also recognized at the breakfast will be two Family Engagement Changemakers selected from the nominees for the Excellence in Family Engagement award as rising stars. They are superintendent Javier Montañez of Providence Public Schools in Rhode Island and superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt of Alexandria Public Schools in Virginia.
Battle also will be recognized at the conference’s 3rd General Session on Saturday morning, Feb. 14.
She has served as superintendent of Metro Nashville Public Schools since 2019, making history as the first woman and first graduate of the district to lead Tennessee’s second-largest school district. As a district parent, she understands the power of partnerships with all stakeholders, families and the community. Her tenure reflects a relentless commitment to ensuring that every student is known, supported and prepared for success in college, career and life.
David R. Schuler, executive director of AASA, said of the honoree: “Her work reflects a core tenet of public education: that strong relationships, trust, and shared responsibility between schools and families create better outcomes for students and stronger communities.”
(Bryan Joffe is AASA’s director of children’s programs.)