March 11, 2025
Rutherford County Schools
Stephanie Finley, Rutherford County Schools' science and STEM specialist for grades 6-8, was awarded Tech Educator of the Year by the Greater Nashville Technology Council.
The organization hosted its annual awards ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville. Awards were given in 15 categories.
This marks the second year Finley has been nominated for the award.
“I am honored to win Tech Educator of the Year and represent the work in STEM education in Rutherford County Schools. I was extremely humbled to be same room with the region’s most innovative leaders in tech,” said Finley.
With 23 years of experience in science and STEM education, Finley has been a leader in growing STEM programs in Rutherford County Schools. She founded the district’s STEM Expo for students to present original research and supports educators through curriculum writing and professional development. As science and STEM specialist and president-elect of the Tennessee Science Education Leadership Association, she advances STEM education statewide.
“With continued support from secondary institutions and industry partners like MTSU, Nissan, and Middle Tennessee Electric and platforms like the NTC Awards, I will continue to promote science and STEM in Rutherford County and throughout the state of Tennessee,” said Finley, who is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education Leadership at Trevecca Nazarene University.
Finalists were selected by a panel of peers and tech industry leaders. Fellow nominees for Tech Educator of the Year were Carlos Coronel, information technology resources director at MTSU’s Jones College of Business and Gary Garrison, the department chair of Business Systems and Analytics at Belmont University.
The RCS STEM Expo, now in its seventh year, will take place March 20 at MTSU. To learn more, visit https://sites.google.com/view/rcs-science-stem/stem/stem-expo.
For more information on the Greater Nashville Technology Council, visit