BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — Bristol, Tennessee City Schools Director of Schools Annette Tudor was named the 2026 First Region superintendent of the year.

Tudor was chosen among 17 superintendents in the First Region and will be one of eight finalists for Tennessee superintendent of the year.

Former director of schools Gary Lilly presented the award to Tudor during Monday night’s school board meeting.

“I’m humbled by it. And certainly proud that I have the recognition,” Tudor said. “I guess as Dr. Lilly mentioned, I’ve done some advocacy work fighting for what I believe is in the best interest of our students, both at the legislative state level and at the local level.”

Board of Education Vice Chairman Jim Butcher said Tudor has “a tremendous amount of talent” and is “as good as it gets in this state.”

The Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents will pick a statewide superintendent of the year later this year.