HUSD Teacher Wins National Teaching Award

Hayward Adult School teacher Davida Scott has been chosen to receive the prestigious NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. Scott is just one of just 43 public school educators from across the country to receive the award.

Emboldened by the grief of losing students through gun and gang violence, she founded the Raising Leaders program to provide at-promise youth with the support they need to thrive.

Raising Leaders annually serves 240 students in Alameda County with workshops and internships in county departments, local cities, CSU East Bay, and elsewhere.The program provides positive examples of community leaders and creates workforce pathways.

The program also supports various community service and donation projects in Hayward. 

Scott has been a Teacher on Special Assignment at the Hayward Adult School for seven years and attended Burbank Elementary, Winton Middle School and Hayward High.

The NEA Foundation recognized the 43 awardees for their “leadership, excellence in the classroom, family and community engagement, a commitment to equity and diversity, and advocacy for the teaching profession.”
 
In a news release, Sara A. Sneed, president and CEO of The NEA Foundation, said: “These extraordinary awardees remind us that educators are the backbone of our communities and our democracy. At a time when educators and public education are under attack, these educators have been at the forefront of ensuring access to a high quality education for all students. Building a bright future for America’s children requires that we all do our part to support educators and racial justice in public education.”

Over the past two decades, The NEA Foundation has honored hundreds of exemplary educators in every state and those serving students in American public schools around the world with the Awards for Teaching Excellence. The 2024 educator awardees will be honored at the NEA Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education on May 3, 2024, at The Anthem in Washington, DC.

Five of the awardees nominated by National Education Association’s state affiliates will be chosen as finalists for the top national award and receive $10,000. The educator selected for the top honor will be revealed at the NEA Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education and receive $25,000. The Salute to Excellence in Education will also be live-streamed.

The NEA Foundation is a national philanthropic organization committed to promoting the absolute best in public education. The Foundation invests in educators’ leadership, shared learning, and collaboration; supports partnerships and initiatives that strengthen public education; and promotes improvements in public education policy and practice.

Find more information about the Awards for Teaching Excellence here and explore a gallery of this year’s awardees.