Teacher Awards

Read about awards for teachers, including the National Teacher of the Year award, and the teachers who win them
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Teaching Profession Video How the National Teacher of the Year Puts Students First
The 2025 National Teacher of the Year shares what she believes makes a good teacher, and how she brings that to her classroom.
Kaylee Domzalski, May 2, 2025
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2:21
Ashlie Crosson, English teacher at Mifflin County, Pa., High School, has been named National Teacher of the Year.
Ashley Crosson, an English teacher at Mifflin County, Pa., High School, has been named National Teacher of the Year.
Brett Sims
Teaching Profession The New Teacher of the Year Shares Her Secrets for an Engaging English Class
Pennsylvania English teacher Ashlie Crosson helps students connect to global issues.
Sarah D. Sparks, April 29, 2025
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3 min read
The 2025 National Teacher of the Year Finalists, from left: Ashlie Crosson, Janet Damon, and Jazzmyne Townsend. Mikaela Saelua, of American Samoa, is the fourth finalist.
The 2025 National Teacher of the Year Finalists, from left: Ashlie Crosson, Janet Damon, and Jazzmyne Townsend. Mikaela Saelua, of American Samoa, is the fourth finalist.
Courtesy photos
Teaching Profession The National Teacher of the Year Finalists Spotlight Literacy's Power
The four 2025 Teacher of the Year finalists highlight literacy’s power to engage students and shape lifelong readers.
Sarah D. Sparks, February 12, 2025
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7 min read
Tracie Anderson Swilley, principal of Fairfield Central High School in Winnsboro, SC, is named the 2025 NASSP National Principal of the Year.
Tracie Anderson Swilley, the principal of Fairfield Central High School in Winnsboro, S.C., is named the 2025 NASSP National Principal of the Year.
Courtesy of NASSP
School & District Management Inside the No-Limits Mindset of the New National Principal of the Year
Tracie Anderson Swilley, a high school principal in South Carolina, was awarded the title for the 2024-25 academic year.
Olina Banerji, October 21, 2024
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6 min read
From left, Andrew Rebello, former principal, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, Fall River, Mass.; Tracie Anderson Swilley, principal, Fairfield Central High School, Winnsboro, S.C.; Job Wilcox, principal, Petoskey Middle School, Petoskey, Mich.
From left, Andrew Rebello, former principal, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, Fall River, Mass.; Tracie Anderson Swilley, principal, Fairfield Central High School, Winnsboro, S.C.; Job Wilcox, principal, Petoskey Middle School, Petoskey, Mich.
Courtesy of NASSP
School & District Management Meet the 3 Finalists for National Principal of the Year
All three finalists spoke about the need to lift up their peers.
Olina Banerji, September 6, 2024
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5 min read
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Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Teaching Profession Video 'Welcome to the White House': Teachers Get a Rare Honor
First lady Jill Biden hosted state teachers of the year for an inaugural state dinner. Here's what it looked like.
Kaylee Domzalski & Madeline Will, May 3, 2024
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1:51
Jill Biden applauds teachers during the first-ever Teachers of the Year state dinner at the White House.
Jill Biden applauds teachers during the first-ever Teachers of the Year state dinner at the White House on May 2, 2024.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Teaching Profession Inside the First-Ever White House State Dinner for Teachers
Teachers were feted by first lady Jill Biden and other national leaders, with a surprise appearance by a powerful dignitary.
Madeline Will, May 3, 2024
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6 min read
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Teaching Video The National Teacher of the Year's Advice for Building 'a Legacy of Strong Teachers'
This year's National Teacher of the Year has a message for educators on finding joy and creating a legacy of strong teachers.
Madeline Will & Kaylee Domzalski, April 3, 2024
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2:26
Missy Testerman
At Rogersville City School in Rogersville, Tenn., Missy Testerman teaches K-8 students who do not speak English as their first language and supports them in all academic areas. She's the 2024 National Teacher of the Year.
Courtesy of Tennessee State Department of Education
Teaching Profession Missy Testerman Makes Immigrant Students Feel Welcome. She's the National Teacher of the Year
The K-8 teacher prioritizes inclusion and connection in her work teaching English as a second language.
Madeline Will, April 3, 2024
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5 min read
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iStock / Getty Images Plus
Teaching Profession The Finalists for National Teacher of the Year Have Ideas for Boosting Teacher Morale
The four award-winning teachers also met with U.S. lawmakers to advocate for their education causes of choice.
Madeline Will, March 19, 2024
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5 min read
The State of Teaching
Teaching Profession Video How a Moment of Recognition Rejuvenated This Alabama Teacher
Kenisha Gage, an elementary school teacher in Huntsville, Ala., shares the highs and lows of her career as an educator.
Catriona Ni Aolain, March 6, 2024
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1 min read
From left: Missy Testerman, Christy Todd, Catherine Walker, Joe Nappi
From left: Missy Testerman, Christy Todd, Catherine Walker, Joe Nappi
Photos courtesy of the Council of Chief State Schools Officers
Teaching Profession Here Are the 4 Finalists for National Teacher of the Year
The nation's top teaching award will be given to one of them in the spring.
Madeline Will, January 24, 2024
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8 min read
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Teaching Profession Video This Teacher Won a Grammy and Saved a Life
A North Texas choir teacher explains how she became the 2023 Grammy Music Educator of the Year.
Lauren Santucci, October 19, 2023
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3:30
Karen Lauritzen stands for a portrait on the Millikin University Campus in Decatur, Ill., on August 30, 2023. Idaho’s Teacher of the Year moved to Illinois for a new job due to right-wing harassment over her support of the LGBTQ+ community and Black Lives Matter.
Karen Lauritzen stands for a portrait on the Millikin University Campus in Decatur, Ill., on August 30, 2023. Laurizen, Idaho’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, moved to Illinois for a new job due to harassment over her support of the LGBTQ+ community and Black Lives Matter.
Neeta R. Satam for Education Week
Teaching Profession In Their Own Words 'I Was Not Done': How Politics Drove This Teacher of the Year Out of the Classroom
Karen Lauritzen was accused of being a pro-LGBTQ+ activist. The consequences derailed her career.
Madeline Will, August 31, 2023
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6 min read
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