Inspirational, motivated and innovative are just a few ways to describe the 2024 State Teachers of the Year. This remarkable group of educators represents the kind of dedication and effectiveness that defines the best in the profession.
The 2024 cohort comprises 55 educators from states and U.S. territories who will take part in a one-of-a-kind year of professional learning experience. CCSSO has proudly led the National Teacher of the Year Program since its inception in 1952.
The 2024 State Teachers of the Year teach students from pre-K through high school, including 12 educators who teach at elementary schools, 11 who teach at middle schools, 26 who teach at high schools, and six who teach across multiple grade levels.
The 2024 State Teachers of the Year teach a range of subjects, from math and language arts to family and consumer sciences, oceanography and music technology. They have taught, on average, for more than 16 years and have a combined total of 895 years of teaching experience among them.
Among these extraordinary educators is a teacher who has organized annual trips for his students that span more than 40,000 miles across 35 states; a first-grade teacher who designed an outdoor classroom at her school; a wellness enthusiast who developed the first yoga course in her district that is now offered at every high school in the community; a former TV professional whose students led the nation with three National Student Production Awards (also known as the students’ Emmys); and a community leader who worked alongside her students and legislators to secure bills for financial literacy instruction courses and access to career readiness opportunities. Additionally, these teacher leaders have found ways to expand their classroom walls to their peers and colleagues by leading districtwide professional development workshops and chairing school departments and professional learning communities.
The National Teacher of the Year selection committee, composed of individuals from 16 organizations, will select four finalists based on teachers’ applications. The finalists will be announced in January 2024 and interview with the selection committee in Washington, D.C. CCSSO will announce the 2024 National Teacher of the Year this spring.
