Dr. Jeanne Tift honored as an Impact Educator

Dr. Jeanne Tift, a distinguished member of Belmont Hill's English Department faculty, has been named a 2025 Impact Educator by the prestigious Morehead-Cain Foundation in recognition of her extraordinary dedication to developing young leaders.

The Impact Educator initiative, which launched in 2023, celebrates educators worldwide who demonstrate exceptional commitment to shaping tomorrow's change-makers. The honorees are recognized by Morehead-Cain Scholars and high school students who are semifinalists for the Scholarship. Dr. Tift's selection reflects her profound influence on students' lives and leadership development at Belmont Hill, where she serves as English Department Chair and oversees numerous signature programs including the Advanced Action Research group, Poetry Fest, and Upper School Debate.

Though currently on sabbatical, Dr. Tift's impact on campus extends far beyond her engaging classroom instruction in courses such as American Literature, Creative Writing, and The Hero in Literature. As faculty advisor to the Advanced Action Research program, she guides students through insightful research projects in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania. Her leadership of the annual Poetry Fest and Doc Fast visiting author program has enriched Belmont Hill's literary culture, while her stewardship of the debate program continues to develop students' critical thinking and public speaking abilities.

“In addition to her responsibilities as a faculty member, she is the teacher that kids approach for much-needed advice or a listening ear,” said English department colleague Anna McDonald. “Compassionate, strong, and spunky, she has an aura about her that kids are drawn to. It is not uncommon to see her around campus engaged with students in meaningful conversation about their Woodbury speeches or in the audience of the Kraft Theater, cheering on Belmont Hill’s fine actors.” 

One of her former students shared, “A week before my Belmont Hill career officially started, I polished my writing skills in Dr. Tift's Write Ahead program. I was welcomed by Dr. Tift's warmhearted, optimistic and supportive personality. Despite Write Ahead being my first and last class with Dr. Tift, I always found myself in her classroom. Dr. Tift had her way of getting the best ideas out of me.”  

“Anyone who ventures into her classroom can see the physical evidence of her dedication to her students: Her walls are plastered with photographs of past and present students and inspiring quotations from literature,” said McDonald.  

Another former student reflected, "Dr. Tift made it abundantly clear that she was not only committed to helping me develop my skills as a writer, reader, and thinker but also, she was invested in my well-being as a human. Her greatest gift is her ability to balance teaching her students the more tangible English skills like grammar or analytical writing, while also teaching us the soft skills of social and personal reflection. Her unwavering support aided in bolstering my confidence in and out of the classroom."

“Most importantly, Dr. Tift is devoted to ensuring that all students belong,” said McDonald. “A champion of culturally responsive teaching, she tirelessly advocates for justice and equity across campus; as a result of her efforts, countless kids have learned how to be responsible citizens and compassionate people, and in the English Department, we are better for her efforts to diversify our curriculum. 

Outside of her English classes, Dr. Tift is the faculty leader of the Advanced Action Research Program, which teaches students college-level social science research skills and seeks to improve school culture, policy, and practice. The work she has done with students in this area has been transformative. One of her colleagues marveled, “Jeanne's love of literature is subordinated only by her love of teaching. I am constantly impressed by her encyclopedic knowledge of students, her deep passion for student progress, and her advocacy for student issues.”

"I so admire the care that the Morehead-Cain Foundation puts into recognizing extraordinary students," said Dr. Jeanne Tift. "I am deeply honored and touched to be included this year."

"We are honored to celebrate this year's Impact Educators, all of whom inspire and empower the next generation of leaders," said Chris Bradford, president of Morehead-Cain. "Their commitment to young people paves the way for a brighter future, and we are deeply grateful for their investment." 

About the Morehead-Cain Foundation
The foundation administers the Morehead-Cain Scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill, which is the oldest merit scholarship program in the United States. It provides full four-year scholarships to exceptional students attending UNC-Chapel Hill, covering tuition, room, board, books, and funding for summer enrichment programs. The scholarship emerged from the merger of the John Motley Morehead Foundation and the Gordon Cain Foundation in 2007, though the Morehead Scholarship had existed at UNC since 1945.

The foundation operates independently from UNC but maintains close ties, as all scholars attend UNC-Chapel Hill. Beyond financial support, the foundation provides leadership development, networking opportunities, and mentorship to scholars throughout their undergraduate careers.