Ariel Brown, an elementary school teacher at Savannah Legacy Academy, has been named the 2023 First Tee National Teacher of the Year. First Tee is an international youth development nonprofit that helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf. The National Teacher of the Year award is presented to one teacher each year out of all of First Tee’s 150 chapters in the U.S. and overseas who has gone above and beyond in delivering the First Tee School Program. This program brings First Tee’s character-building curriculum to thousands of school gyms across the country.

Brown has been an elementary school teacher at Savannah Legacy Academy since 2014. The Title I school, located in downtown Savannah, was founded and operated by her parents. Savannah Legacy Academy serves 100% minority students, and Brown offers First Tee programming there on Fridays. Brown is also a First Tee alumna and was the first coach at First Tee – Savannah when the chapter relaunched in summer 2021.

“As a coach, Ariel thrived from the beginning,” said First Tee – Savannah Program Director John Parker. “She began encouraging the students in her elementary school classes to enroll in our off-site program. I can without hesitation say that some of our best kids in the program today are there because of Ariel.” 

“It’s indeed an honor to see a former First Tee - Savannah participant become the National Teacher of the Year,” said First Tee – Savannah Board Member Teia Acker Moore. “This recognition shows Ariel’s deep passion for the sport and her desire to share her knowledge and skills with others. As a teacher, she has inspired and guided new generations of golfers, imparting not only technical expertise but also sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal growth. This journey and Ariel’s achievement as Teacher of the Year, highlights the positive impact that First Tee has on shaping individuals' lives and fostering a sense of community within the golfing world.”

Brown was surprised with the award in her classroom at Savannah Legacy Academy, where she was presented with balloons, flowers and a video with congratulatory messages from colleagues and loved ones. Her achievement was recently highlighted by Golf Digest.

Upon hearing the news, Brown said, “First Tee is important to me because of the values that it has instilled in me and I use these values as an adult. I love that First Tee is actually a program that kids can use outside of golf and when they leave First Tee. I love teaching the game that I love!”

Since launching in 1997, First Tee has grown into a preeminent youth development organization seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum. Its network spans 150 chapters with programs delivered at 1,400 golf courses, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers in all 50 states and select international locations. In 2022, First Tee impacted more than 3.4 million kids and teens with more than 10,000 adults - from volunteers, coaches and board members - as well as teachers from schools across the country working tirelessly to help empower participants.  

Through the First Tee Awards in partnership with Golf Digest, First Tee recognizes the dedicated adults and chapters who go above and beyond to bring its mission to life every day.

“The First Tee School Program reached more than three million kids last year,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “Obviously, it takes a lot of committed adults to make that happen. But our colleagues at First Tee – Savannah told us Ariel stands out for her ability to connect with the kids she serves. Congratulations to Ariel on this well-deserved honor.”