Westwood Elementary School’s lead English language learner (ELL) teacher Holly Logan empowers students to thrive academically and socially. Through a thoughtful combination of instruction both inside and outside the classroom, she collaborates closely with fellow teachers to integrate high-quality instructional materials (HQIM)—creating rigorous, engaging and deeply meaningful learning experiences. This approach vividly came to life through her fourth-grade Lemonade Day project, where students applied entrepreneurship, financial literacy and collaboration skills while engaging families and community leaders, such as members of the local Chamber of Commerce. As a result of her efforts, students consistently demonstrate academic growth while increasing their confidence, resilience, self-respect, and intellectual curiosity.
Logan serves the school and district at large by training, supporting and mentoring fellow educators; coordinating testing; and providing translation services. Instrumental to the district’s adoption of the National Institute for Excellence of Teaching’s model for educator effectiveness, she serves on the school and district instructional leadership teams, participates in instructional walk-throughs, and supervises and leads paraprofessionals. Her leadership is marked by a collaborative spirit and commitment to continual learning, including traveling with her principal to learn from an exemplary school in Alabama and beginning a doctoral program in education last year.
At the heart of Logan’s work is an unwavering dedication to students, families and the broader Manchester community. She maintains communication with Spanish-speaking families—even when students move schools or districts, helps lead family nights, conducts home visits, and participates in “We Care” events that provide families with school supplies, clothing, food, medical care, housing assistance and vision services. Logan is also active in communitywide suicide awareness and serves as a substitute cheerleading coach for elementary and middle school students. Her former students return to visit her, often seeking professional references or career advice.
Logan earned a Bachelor of Arts in foreign languages with a concentration in Spanish from Tennessee Tech University in 2013 and a Master of Education in curriculum, instruction and educational leadership with a concentration in ESL from Middle Tennessee State University in 2018.
Press Release: Magnificent Manchester Teacher Surprised With $25,000 Milken Educator Award
