Every student’s success story starts with someone who believed in them—a passionate teacher, a forward-thinking principal, or a school that dares to dream big for its kids. That’s why this year, Teach901 opened nominations for our Administrator MVP Awards—a celebration of the heroes who make Memphis schools extraordinary.
This spring, students, families, and peers from across the city raised their voices to honor the educators going above and beyond. One name kept rising to the top: Lakeva Bridgeforth, a compassionate and driven administrator from Southern Avenue Charter School. From her days of playing “teacher” with her siblings to leading with bold empathy in one of Memphis’ most dynamic school communities, Lakeva embodies the heart and hustle that great school leadership requires.
We’re thrilled to spotlight her journey, her values, and her heart for Memphis kids.
Q&A With Lakeva Bridgeforth, 2025 Administrator MVP
Q: What led you into school leadership, and what continues to drive your passion for education?
What led me into school leadership and what continues to drive my passion for education started in childhood. I remember playing “teacher” with my siblings, creating makeshift classrooms in our home. Even then, I found joy in guiding and helping others learn. As I grew older, life brought its challenges. Coming from a single-parent household, I faced adversity that many of our students still face today. But I was blessed to have people who believed in me, especially my spouse, Ladarius Bridgeforth, 12th-grade teacher, Dr. Elisabeth Ward-Weston, and my grandmother, Mary Reed. Their support pushed me forward, helping me see college not as a dream, but as a real possibility.
Because of my own lived experiences, I developed a deep understanding of the social and emotional challenges that many children face. That understanding became the foundation of my commitment: to meet the needs of scholars beyond academics to nurture them emotionally, socially, and intellectually.
Five years into teaching, my classroom results began to speak for themselves, and Memphis-Shelby County Schools took notice. That’s when Dr. Stephanie Waller; my principal at the time and now a lifelong mentor, saw leadership potential in me. She didn’t just tell me I was a leader; she showed me how to be one through her example. When she gave me my first opportunity as an administrator, I embraced it with gratitude. What began as impacting 30 students in my classroom grew into reaching and supporting an entire school community.
I remain passionate about education because I know firsthand what a difference one teacher, and one leader, can make. A single voice of belief can change the trajectory of a student’s life. Education needs leaders who are committed not just to academic success, but to educating the whole child; leaders who are visible, empathetic, and willing to do the hard work of creating equitable and empowering learning environments. I strive every day to be that kind of leader because I once needed one and because our students deserve nothing less.
Q: How do you support your teachers in being excellent, innovative, and supported in their work?
I see myself as my teachers’ biggest cheerleader. I believe that celebrating success whether big milestones or small daily wins is essential to building a strong, motivated team. Excellence doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s nurtured through recognition, collaboration, and support.
I’m very hands-on in my leadership approach. I don’t hesitate to roll up my sleeves and work side by side with teachers, whether it’s co-teaching a small group, modeling a lesson, or stepping into a classroom to give them a break. I believe in leading with presence, not just position.
Support also means seeing the whole teacher, not just the educator. I regularly check in with them not only about instructional goals but also about their well-being and their families. When educators feel cared for as people, they are empowered to give their best to students.
I also provide access to high-quality resources, create professional learning opportunities that are relevant and meaningful, and organize team outings or wellness activities that foster connection and renewal. Creating a culture where teachers feel valued, heard, and inspired fuels innovation and when teachers thrive, students do too!
Q: What steps do you take to ensure your students have not just academic support, but social and emotional support too?
Over a decade ago, when I taught third grade, I made it my mission to build real, lasting relationships with my students and those bonds have stood the test of time. To this day, former students and their families still reach out to share proud moments like graduating from college, joining the military, or simply reflecting on how our time together helped shape their journey. That kind of connection is what makes this work deeply meaningful to me.
I’ve always believed that school should be a home away from home. Academic success is important, but students can only thrive when they feel safe, supported, and emotionally grounded. I make it a priority to check in with students not just about their academic progress, but about their well-being. Whether it’s offering resources like school uniforms to families or sitting down to talk through a tough day, those moments matter just as much as any lesson plan.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked to build systems of support that put students’ social and emotional health at the center of the school experience. That includes embedding SEL practices into classrooms, creating opportunities for student voice, and partnering with families and counselors to ensure every child knows they are seen, valued, and cared for.
Q: What do you wish more people in Memphis understood about charter schools? How can the community better support them?
I don’t think people fully realize just how much work goes into leading and sustaining a successful charter school. From ensuring academic growth to meeting rigorous accountability measures and preparing for charter renewals, the responsibility is constant and demanding. Yet, every day, school leaders and educators show up with a commitment to student success.
I’m grateful for the support the Memphis community already provides through partnerships, mentorships, and outreach. That support makes a difference. But there’s still more we can do together.
The broader Memphis community can help even more by actively learning about the unique challenges charter schools face and recognizing the innovation and intentionality behind our work. We would benefit from increased collaboration opportunities between charter and district schools, equitable access to funding and resources, and stronger pipelines for leadership development and staff retention.
At the end of the day, charter schools are not separate from the Memphis story, we are a part of it! When charter schools succeed, Memphis succeeds. And together, we can continue building a stronger, more united future for every child in our city.
Q: What does being named the MVP Administrator mean to you?
Wow, being named the MVP Administrator is deeply meaningful to me. If you knew my story, you’d understand just how much this honor represents. I grew up in poverty, never imagining college as a real possibility. It was my 12th-grade teacher, Dr. Elisabeth Ward-Weston, who believed in me so much that she personally drove me to college and told me, “You’re too smart not to be there.” That moment changed the entire trajectory of my life and it’s the reason I’ve dedicated my career to doing the same for others.
To be selected for this award among so many incredible and dedicated administrators across the state is a humbling reminder of the purpose behind my path. I often tell people, “All things are working together for my good,” and this moment is proof of that. It shows that the service, the sacrifices, and the commitment to students and staff alike have not gone unnoticed.
Being named MVP Administrator isn’t just a title; it’s a reflection of the passion, perseverance, and purpose I pour into this work each day. It represents every student I’ve stood up for, every teacher I’ve supported, and every challenge I’ve turned into an opportunity. It tells the little girl I once was that she didn’t just survive, she rose.
Q: What’s the legacy you hope to leave as a school leader?
The legacy I hope to leave as a school leader is one rooted in love, inspiration, and impact. I want to be remembered as someone who led with both conviction and compassion who saw every child as worthy, every teacher as valuable, and every challenge as an opportunity to grow stronger.
I hope my legacy is felt in the lives I’ve touched; the students who once doubted themselves but found confidence in my belief, the teachers who rediscovered their passion because they felt seen and supported, and the community that felt the ripple effect of a school that dared to care deeply.
I want people to say, “She didn’t just run a school, she changed lives.” That I built safe spaces where children could dream bigger, where staff could lead boldly, and where families felt like true partners. That I stood in the gap when it wasn’t easy, and led with integrity when it mattered most.
Ultimately, I hope my legacy is a reminder that leadership is not about titles or recognition, it’s about service unto God. And that every act of love, no matter how small, leaves a mark that lasts far beyond our time.