2026 New Orleans Excellence in Teaching Awards Gala presented by Entergy at The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans – New Orleans, LA

Join us to celebrate our city's most outstanding teachers at the New Orleans Excellence in Teaching Awards Gala, presented by Entergy! The award is a part of the Allstate Sugar Bowl New Orleans Teacher Community initiative.

Dress to impress and get ready to mingle with fellow educators, school administrators, and community members. The night will be filled with delicious food, drinks, and live entertainment.

The New Orleans Excellence in Teaching Awards are bestowed on the city's top educators — one from each New Orleans public school — and include a $1,000 Classroom Excellence Grant.

Join us as we recognize and honor these dedicated educators, who are making the difference for students across New Orleans.

To see video and pictures from last year's NOETA Gala, you can visit the NOETA webpage.

Schedule of Events

• 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Teacher's Pre-Gala Party (NOETA Award Recipients ONLY)
• 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. - Gala
• 10:00 - 11:00 p.m. - NOETA Afterparty

Food and Beverage

• Heavy hors d’oeuvres, a reception buffet, dessert, and late-night surprise bites will be served.
• Open bar with a great selection of premium wines, liquors, and non-alcoholic drinks

Additional Information

• You will not need a physical ticket to enter the Gala. Additional information for entry will be provided post-purchase.
• We want to see you all dressed up! NOETA is a black-tie preferred event.
• Purchase your ticket(s) early. We anticipate a sold-out event.
• Valet parking is available but is limited. We strongly encourage carpooling and ridesharing.
• You will receive a "Know-Before-You-Go" email with additional event details prior to the Gala.

Teacher Sponsorship Opportunities

Demonstrate your appreciation for New Orleans educators while enjoying the perks of sponsorship, including tickets to the NOETA Gala, quarter-page advertisements or special messages in the NOETA program, and reserved tables for you and your guests.

• NOETA GALA SPONSOR ($5,000): You and your guests join the fun with tickets to the NOETA Gala, along with a reserved Grand Ballroom Seating.

• Teacher Classroom Excellence Grant Add On: You can celebrate exceptional educators by sponsoring an Excellence in Teaching Grant in the amount of $1,000. If you choose, you can direct your gift to support a specific teacher or school, who will be notified of your generous support.

To become a NOETA Gala Sponsor, you may make the purchase online or contact Julie Bourgeois at Julie@nsno.org.

Event Sponsorship Opportunities

Below are exclusive, limited sponsorship opportunities that support the NOETA Gala, NOLA Teacher Fest, and the New Orleans Teacher Community (NOTC), helping bring more resources, recognition, and support directly to educators and classrooms across New Orleans.

• Teacher Community Builder ($10,000): All benefits of a NOLA Gala Patron, plus year round recognition at the Teacher Fest! Additionally, you wil recieve two (2) Teacher Fest premium cocktail tickets for each of 4 guests, event visibility through customized Teacher Fest swag, multiple tagged social posts, and electronic signage from the NOLA Teacher Fest main stage.
• Teacher's Favorite ($20,000): All benefits for a Teacher Community Builder, plus: Exclusive Naming Rights of event features, such as a NOETA Gala Signature Cocktail or Teacher Fest activation stations, will ensure visibility among 2,000 educators at NOLA Teacher Fest and 450 distinguished guests at NOETA.

• Teacher Champion ($35,000): In addition to the benefits listed above, your organization will have Exclusive Naming Rights of the 2026 NOETA Teacher Toast (the Pre-Party for NOETA Honorees), full-page adverstisement and messaging in the NOETA Gala program, and other customized recognitions that best suit your needs!

To become an event sponsor or to discuss a customized benefits package, please contact Julie Bourgeois at Julie@nsno.org.